Parramatta have withdrawn their interest in signing St George Illawarra’s Jack Bird, reports SEN’s Michelle Bishop.
Bird, 27, comes off contract with the Dragons at the end of the season and he looks set to take a significant pay cut from his current $900,000 deal.
While Bird met with Eels coach Brad Arthur to discuss a potential move, Bishop says Parramatta are now instead focused on securing off-contract Shark Briton Nikora.
“The Eels have withdrawn their interest in securing Jack Bird,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I’m hearing that Parramatta have shifted their attention to making a play for Briton Nikora.
“Bird did meet with coach Brad Arthur last month and discussed the possibility of a two-year contract for next season.
“They’ve got to fill the void left by the likes of Isaiah Papali’i and Marata Niukore.”
With the Eels out of the race, Bishop expects Bird to accept the $1.1 million offer across two years with the Dragons, despite interest from the NRL’s newest club the Dolphins.
“It looks like the Eels are out of the race, which means the Dragons are in the box seat,” Bishop said.
“There’s plenty of interest from the Dolphins, but Bird’s been pretty open about not wanting to relocate to Queensland.”
Bird has expressed a desire to remain in NSW and it’s believed he and his manager will begin talks with the Dragons again after negotiations stalled last month.