Parramatta chief executive Bernie Gurr has not ruled out Jarryd Hayne returning to the NRL club from the Gold Coast next season.
Titans star Hayne this month denied rumours he's pushing for a release from the final year of his deal to join his ex-club.
Gurr was given the opportunity to shut down speculation at a sponsorship announcement on Wednesday, but said, "we don't discuss our recruitment strategy publicly. This is not the forum today."
The position represents a change of tack for Gurr.
In May, he spoke openly about the club's desire to lure Titans hooker Nathan Peats back to the Eels, also revealing then there had been no approach from Hayne.
The Eels have been discouraged to recruit Hayne, with club great Peter Sterling urging the semi-finalists to instead retain their faith in fullback prospects Clint Gutherson and Bevan French.
Both players were reluctant to weigh into Hayne's possible arrival on Wednesday given his contract with the Gold Coast, with Gutherson claiming to have not spoken to teammates about the possibility
French said he did not believe Hayne was required for premiership success.
"Whether he comes or not, we're pretty happy with what we've got here," French told reporters.
"He's got that X-factor about him and he's a freakish player ... (but) if he doesn't come, I don't think we'll be too disappointed.
"We're pretty confident with what we have now."
NSW and Fiji representative Hayne is reported to be seeking a release on compassionate grounds to be close to his partner and daughter.
He has been unsettled on the Gold Coast and his feud with Neil Henry led to the coach's sacking.
