“Parramatta Eels player Blaize Talagi departs the club, despite the club’s offer of a three-year contract. His manager is pushing for a move to another club.”
Despite the clause, Arthur remains confident that Talagi will remain at the Eels, describing him as the “future of the club.”
“All the indications from us are that he is the future of the club,” Arthur said.
“I hope he feels that way. We’ve certainly as a club tried to do our utmost best to prove that to him.
“I’ve had a conversation with Blaize – he’s only a kid, so I try not to have too many of these conversations with him and just keep them footy related – but the only question that I’ve asked him is: Does he want to be at the club? He told me he does. That’s half the battle.
“The club has been working with his management to try and get something sorted.
“He wants to be here, so it will sort itself out.”
While Arthur sounds confident, the very fact that Talagi decided against triggering the option for 2025 has irked Brad Fittler, who slammed his manager Isaac Moses when the issue was raised on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth this week.
Arthur noted that the Eels have been working with the young star to find opportunities to develop his experience in first grade, with Talagi making appearances at five-eighth, centre, the bench and now fullback.
“We’ve shown him how important he is to the club, we’ve shown him how… his development is at the forefront for us,” said Arthur.
Despite the Eels’ slide down the ladder since missing the finals last season, Arthur said he is “100 per cent” backed by all internal club officials” and is “not scared” to coach the team.
