Parramatta five-eighth Corey Norman has spoken with Eels coach Brad Arthur about his playing future, and conceded Arthur gave him his blessing to seek a contract at a rival club.
Norman is currently tied down to the Eels until the end of the 2019 season, but has been linked with a move away from Parramatta, and it seems as though he'll now pursue a future away from the blue and gold.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday morning, Norman spoke about a meeting he had with Arthur, in which the Eels' coach said he should do what's best for himself.
“It doesn’t need to be said what we’ve spoken about. We’re fine. We’ve still got a very good relationship,” Norman said.
“He said, ‘Look after Corey Norman’. So there you go. We’ve had a discussion and he said, ‘do what’s best for you’.”
The news comes after recent reports suggesting Norman met with Titans coach Garth Brennan on a move to the Gold Coast, and Norman specified he wouldn't sign for a club who can't give him finals football.
“I feel like when I came to Parramatta, it was a rebuilding club, (and) I wouldn’t want to go to another rebuilding club,” Norman said.
“I’m 28 next year. That’s pretty old in football terms.
“I definitely wouldn’t go to a rebuilding club. But a club that’s stable, is going to have good seasons, and play in the finals.”
Norman has played 102 matches for the Eels and spent three seasons at the Broncos prior to that, but only has three finals appearances to his name, and no finals wins.