Two more Parramatta Eels players have been linked with a potential early exit from the club as they are set to undergo a rebuild under future coach Jason Ryles.
Confirmed to be taking over interim-coach Trent Barrett next season, Ryles is looking to guide the Eels to the finals for the first time since 2022 when they competed against the Penrith Panthers in the Grand Final.
According to reports from Fox Sports, there have been whispers that the Parramatta Eels are trying to move on Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard before the end of their contract, but nothing is set in stone.
Maika Sivo is contracted until the end of 2027 (with a mutual option for 2026 and a club option for 2026) but has been linked with an exit from Parramatta as early as May this year after being dropped to the NSW Cup.
On a deal believed to be worth around $550,000 per season, he was made available to the Super League earlier this year with reports indicating that the Eels were prepared to pay a significant portion of his wage, per League Express.
On the other hand, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, a NSW Blues representative, remains contracted until the end of 2025 on a deal worth approximately $750,000 per season and previously looked at the Super League as an option, per Fox Sports.
The rumours come after second-rower Ryan Matterson was granted permission to speak with rival teams and see if there are any offers on the table for his services despite being contracted until the end of the 2026 season.
“Nothing’s happened as yet, but the conversation has occurred with his management to give him basically a little tap on the shoulder that, if there’s anything out there, it might be worth having a look around,” journalist Michael Chammas said on 100% Footy on Monday.
A 2018 premiership winner, Matterson joined the Eels in 2020 following stints with the Sydney Roosters (2016-18) and Wests Tigers (2019), where he found career-best form and represented the NSW Blues in the 2022 State of Origin series.
More recently, he was linked with a potential move to The Dolphins for their maiden season in which they offered him a four-year contract but he decided to remain at Parramatta.
The Parramatta Eels have also shut down rumours that $950,000 front-rower Junior Paulo would be granted an early exit and allowed to speak with rival teams just like his former NSW Blues teammate.
One of the club’s best forwards after re-joining the Parramatta Eels in 2019 – after a three-year stint with the Canberra Raiders – Paulo has unfortunately had a dip in form this season.
According to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald, the Parramatta Eels are furious at rumours and suggestions that they are looking to move on Junior Paulo before his contract expires.
Contracted until the end of the 2026 season on a salary of $950,000 per season, it is understood that the club has told him that he is not going anywhere and will see out the remainder of his deal.
