A shocking demand has been made by the Parramatta Eels in the Zac Lomax transfer saga, revealing a three-player shortlist that has sparked controversy.
The Eels are holding firm, and their request for a star player in exchange for Lomax has divided opinions.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Eels have identified Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu, or Jack Howarth as the players they desire as part of a potential deal. This demand has sent shockwaves through the NRL community, as all three players are highly sought-after and off-contract at the end of next season.
The situation is further complicated by Lomax's early release from his Eels contract, which was granted in November with the hope of joining R360. However, plans changed when the rebel league postponed its start date by two years.
"We agreed to certain terms with Zac as conditions of the release, allowing him to explore options outside the NRL," said Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos.
Sarantinos made it clear that Lomax's move to another NRL club would require an "appropriate exchange of value." The Storm, eager to sign Lomax, have offered some fringe players and financial compensation, but the Eels are holding out for one of their top targets.
And this is the part most people miss: the Eels believe they hold all the power in this situation.
"Every club can knock on our door and say they want Zac, but it has to be beneficial for us," said Cooper Cronk, a Storm legend.
Cronk believes the Eels should only let Lomax go if the compensation is "juicy" enough, and he's not alone in this opinion.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Eels' demand for a star player like Coates has sparked debate. Some argue that the Storm should offer a mid-tier player and cash, while others believe the Eels should hold onto Lomax unless the deal is truly advantageous.
The story continues to unfold, with the Eels needing outside backs and the Storm's interest in Lomax remaining unclear.
"If I'm the Eels, I want Xavier Coates," Cronk asserted.
The debate rages on, with questions like "Where would Lomax fit in the Storm's lineup?" and "Is the compensation enough?" lingering in the air.
So, what do you think? Should the Eels hold out for their desired player, or is the Storm's offer sufficient? The power dynamic in this transfer saga is intriguing, and we want to hear your thoughts in the comments!
