Nathan Brown faces the prospect of sheepishly renegotiating with Parramatta after refusing a $1.2 million extension with the Eels earlier this year.
The NSW Origin representative originally knocked back the Eels’ $600,000 a year deal through to 2023 and the offer was taken off the table after a deadline passed last month.
Brown and his management then engaged in talks with Manly who were keen on signing the 28-year-old, but discussion has since broken down between the two parties.
The Daily Telegraph are reporting that the Sea Eagles stopped negotiating with Brown after he refused to accept any offer worth less than $2.6 million over four years.
With no deal from Manly, Brown will now aim to re-sign with Parramatta, but it is expected that he won’t receive the same $1.2 million offer that was initially tabled.
The Daily Telegraph’s Matt Logue joined Jimmy Smith on SEN 1170 Afternoons where he discussed the forward’s future.
“The deal is back on the table between Parramatta and Nathan Brown,” Logue said.
“It is interesting because there were always talks about Manly chasing Nathan Brown’s signature.
“They were looking to boost their forward pack, but I heard a long time ago that Manly and Nathan Brown just wasn’t going to happen.
“Brad Arthur loves Nathan Brown and the style of football he brings… it’s just a harsh reality of the business
“I think Nathan Brown will stay at Parramatta, it just won’t be for what he or his manager expected."
Smith then asked Logue what he would re-sign Brown for knowing he knocked back the $600k per year deal last month.
“He’s a forward, he’s not going to necessarily win you a game as a superstar, so I’d pay him $450k-500k max,” Logue replied.
“You’ve got to sign him because he’s important, but he’s not the difference between Parramatta winning a premiership or not.”
Brown will line up for the Eels as they face the Broncos in Darwin on Friday night.