The Parramatta Eels will head to this year's edition of the November 1 free agency opening window with less questions than most clubs, although, also less answers.

The key answer for the Eels is why 2023 went as badly as it did. Coming off a grand final appearance in 2022, anything less than a top eight finish in 2023 was always going to be a dismal failure for the team in blue and gold, but that's exactly where the season ended up.

That has left Brad Arthur scrambling for answers and likely under plenty of pressure oif another similar campaign is to transpire in 2024.

Ultimately, there isn't many waves he is going to be able to make on the transfer market either. Parramatta already have 21 players locked in for 2025, and not a great deal of wiggle room on the salary cap given the amount of money they have invested into the likes of Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo and Ryan Matterson.

But there are some pressing needs they must attend to, mostly in the backline, and more importantly in the way they do their business.

Current squad for 2025
Dylan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright, Matt Doorey, Haze Dunster, Wiremu Greig, Clint Gutherson, Brendan Hands, Morgan Harper, J'maine Hopgood, Shaun Lane, Joey Lussick, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Mitchell Moses, Joe Ofahengaue, Junior Paulo, Will Penisini, Sean Russell, Maika Sivo, Kelma Tuilagi

Current best 17 for 2025
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Sean Russell
3. Morgan Harper
4. Will Penisini
5. Maika Sivo
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. J'maine Hopgood
14. Joey Lussick
15. Bryce Cartwright
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Wiremu Greig

Players not in 17: Matt Doorey, Haze Dunster, Toni Mataele, Kelma Tuilagi

Players off-contract at end of 2024
Daejarn Asi, Makahesi Makatoa, Jirah Momoisea, Ofahiki Ogden, Ky Rodwell, Bailey Simonsson, Blaize Talagi (player option)

Here are five players available to negotiate on November 1 from outside of the club the Eels could target for 2025 and beyond.

EVERY PLAYER OFF-CONTRACT AT THE END OF 2024

3. Junior Tupou

Such is the need for outside backs at the Eels to put competition on for spots, I'm not sure one will do it. While they won't sign both of May and Niu, they could add Junior Tupou from the Tigers to whichever one they do sign, if they indeed go down this path to address an issue.

Tupou is more of an out and out winger, but has been impressive in a desperately poor Wests Tigers team throughout the bulk of his short career to date.

He knows how to find the tryline, defends well, and frankly, would be well ahead of Russell or Dunster for a spot in the side based on the efforts in a career to date.

He isn't going to be the gun walk up starter, but he would be a fantastic depth option who has proven he can handle himself at NRL level in a struggling side. That would make him even more dangerous at the Eels, and the added advantage of course is that he would come very cheaply.