Parramatta playmaker Corey Norman’s reported move to St George Illawarra is in jeopardy due to a standoff over his 2019 salary.
Media reports on Thursday claimed the 27-year-old’s rumoured move to the Dragons from 2019 is a done deal.
The final details of his Eels release and three-year Red V contract were expected to be finalised on Friday and it is understood Norman has already farewelled his Eels team-mates.
But Fairfax Media is reporting a dispute over the amount of his 2019 salary Parramatta are prepared to pay could kill the deal.
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Norman was set to earn around $900,000 at the Eels next season.
According to Fairfax the Dragons have $800,000 in cap space to spend on the out-of-favour Eels five-eighth next season.
Parramatta are reportedly prepared to pay $250,000 of the pivot’s freight but Norman wants his soon-to-be former club to fork out $270,000 for the privilege of moving him on.
Complicating the situation further is the fact Norman’s manager is currently holidaying overseas.
For now the Eels are holding firm and are yet to rubber stamp Norman’s release due to the $20,000 dispute.
Norman’s future has been uncertain for several months as the Eels shopped him to rival clubs including the New Zealand Warriors.
He also reportedly last month turned down the offer of a four-year deal from English Super League club Huddersfield.
The Dragons were initially planning to sign Norman’s former Eels team-mate Jarryd Hayne before the latter was charged with sexual assault over an alleged incident on the night of the NRL grand final.
Negotiations got serious when Saints skipper and England international Gareth Widdop reportedly approached Dragons management for a release to return to the UK.
Widdop has since committed to the joint-venture club for 2019 but Norman’s arrival could see Widdop released from the final two seasons of his deal in 2020 and 2021.
Norman has played 169 NRL games since making his debut for the Broncos in 2010.
He joined the Eels in 2014 and made 23 appearances for the Eels’ disastrous wooden-spoon-winning season in 2018.
