Breakout forward Nathan Brown is a key figure going forward for Parramatta but the club won't rush to sign him on a lengthy contract just yet, says Eels boss Bernie Gurr.
Brown has arguably been the league's best recruit of the year after a breakout season for Parramatta where his numbers have catapulted into the stratosphere.
In 18 games for the Eels this season, Brown has carried the ball 133 metres off 15 hit-ups to go with 30 tackles - the last two figures being team-highs - in 67 minutes per game.
Gurr admits the former South Sydney bopper will be high on the priority list over the summer.
"Most definitely we want to keep him. Yeah, most definitely. We'd love Nathan, who's a western Sydney kid, he's young and we see him as a vital part of the future long-term," Gurr told AAP.
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However Gurr insists the club will continue to take a pragmatic approach to managing their roster under his watch after getting punished for breaching the salary cap last year.
Brown joined the Eels on a club-friendly two-year deal at the start of this season, however is in line for a major pay rise in his next deal following his impressive campaign.
Gurr predicted that conversation will happen at the end of the season.
"I think that's a prudent way to do it. There's a lot of footy to be played between now and next year so we'll see where that goes," Gurr said.
"Clearly Nathan's been a great purchase for the club, he's a great clubman, he's a great fella, and obviously everyone can see he's playing really well.
"But any players coming off-contract, typically our policy is we don't look at that until the year they come off. We're not going to leave it right to the end obviously.
"But addressing it too early, then you start to get your roster management out of whack."
With a likely finals campaign under their belt this spring, the Eels are in strong shape heading into next season with the arrival of Sydney Roosters front-rower Kane Evans.
Key playmaker Mitchell Moses has already arrived from Wests Tigers mid-year, while only fringe players David Gower, Cameron King and Frank Pritchard remain unsigned for 2018.
