The Parramatta Eels have reportedly demanded one of three players before they will allow Melbourne Storm to sign Zac Lomax.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Eels identified Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu or Jack Howarth as the players they would accept as part of a deal for Lomax.
All three are off contract at the end of next season meaning they can negotiate with rival clubs from November 1.
In November Lomax was granted an early release from his Eels deal with three years left to run in the hope of joining R360.
Those plans, however, were curtailed when the rebel league pushed back their start date by two years.
While the Eels granted Lomax a release, it came with conditions. He is not to play for another NRL team until 2029 unless Parramatta agree.
The Storm have reportedly nominated some fringe players while they are prepared to also offer financial compensation to the Eels for Lomax.
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos made it clear Lomax will not be joining the Storm without “an appropriate exchange of value”.
“We agreed to certain terms with Zac as conditions of the release to allow him the opportunity to explore other options outside the NRL,” he said.
“We made sure there were certain protections within the release for the period he was supposed to be under contract with us, and he willingly signed up for that.
“Things obviously haven’t worked out the way he was expecting them to, and he is now looking at other opportunities within the NRL.
“As far as we’re concerned, we won’t be consenting to him signing with another club unless there’s an appropriate exchange of value.
“We have had a representative player leave our roster who now wants to join another club’s roster.”
It comes as Storm legend Cooper Cronk declared his former club won’t be the only one to make a move for Lomax.
“I think Melbourne have a right to have a go at him but the Eels have rights to Lomax,” Cronk said on the Kayo Sports NRL Podcast.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the Eels. If they get some juicy compensation, by all means, but if it’s not juicy enough, hold onto Lomax.
“It has to be good … They hold all the power here. Every club can knock on the door of Parramatta and say I want Zac but it has to be beneficial for the Eels.
“It’s purely up to the Eels and Jason Ryles and what they want to do. If they feel like they’ll get something worthwhile letting Zac go, by all means (let him go).
But until that moment happens, this story will keep bubbling along until someone comes up with something.
“They (Melbourne) are not the only club who will be knocking on the Eels’ door. This will continue on.”
The Eels are in need of outside backs following Lomax’s exit but Cronk is adamant the Storm will not be interested in a swap deal that sends either of their star wingers to Parramatta.
“It is the like for like replacement but it’s not going to happen so if the Storm offer a mid-tier player and some cash, if I’m the Eels, I’m saying no. I want Xavier Coates,” Cronk said.
“Obviously you’re thinking someone like Coates and Warbrick would be someone they’d (Eels) be after as an outside back,” NRL great and co-host Mick Ennis added.
“The other one is front row. Junior Paulo isn’t getting any younger and the Storm have some good young forwards though.”
However, Ennis was skeptical in the Storm’s interest in Lomax.
“What are they chasing Lomax for?” he said.
“If you have (Sua) Fa’alogo at fullback and Coates and Warbrick on the wings, where will you play him?”
“Centre,” Braith Anasta replied, who suggested the Storm’s left centre in 2025 Jack Howarth may be better suited in the back row.
“I know we’ve been through this but I would assume that’s what they’re after him for because Jack Howarth isn’t a natural centre and you can see Melbourne are lacking firepower on their edges I believe.”
