Under-fire Parramatta aren’t the only NRL club in the race to sign Canberra forward Junior Paulo.
The out-of-contract Raiders prop has revealed his manager has been weighing up offers from “several” Sydney clubs, not just the Eels.
Paulo spoke on Tuesday for the first time since reports emerged his former club had tabled him a four-year offer of up to $2.7 million.
Cronulla have also been linked to the Samoan international.
The 24-year-old says his decision wouldn’t come down to just money, but he would like to stay in the nation’s capital.
“I’m looking to find happiness for my career on and off the field. It’s going to be a hard decision to take in, but at the moment I’m focusing on playing the Rabbitohs this week,” Paulo said.
“I haven’t agreed to terms (with the Eels), there’s only been offers from several clubs in Sydney and I’m just trying to do my best for the Raiders. I’d like to stay but I’m just trying to play some good footy at the moment.”
Paulo said he hadn’t spoken directly with Parramatta or Cronulla since contract negotiations started and was letting his manager field the offers.
“They’re only reports, I don’t read them through the media or read newspapers away from footy,” Paulo said.
He played 53 games for the Eels after making his debut with the club in 2013.
Paulo then made the switch to Canberra in 2016, making his debut for his new club in round 13 of that season after being released by Parramatta before he was due to begin his contract with the Raiders in 2017.
Canberra smashed the Eels 18-2 at GIO Stadium last Saturday night, consigning the Eels to a 0-6 start after they finished fourth on the ladder last season.