Eels seek Radradra return in 2018

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has left the door wide open for star winger Semi Radradra to return to the club next season once his rugby commitments are over.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has declared his desire to bring Semi Radradra back to the NRL club once his rugby commitments in France are over next year.

One month after Radradra was facing the possible end of his rugby career due to domestic assault allegations, Arthur on Thursday revealed the Eels were in talks with the winger on a new deal.

Arthur confirmed Radradra, whose charges were dropped in court earlier this month, will still link with Toulon in French rugby's Top 14 at the end of the season on a one-year deal with an option for a second.

However Arthur left the door wide open on Radradra returning in 2018.

"One hundred per cent we would be (open). If Semi wants to come back, he's not the sort of player that you're going to turn away. He's part of our club anyway," Arthur said on Thursday.

"It's with the club and Semi, but at the moment we've just got to worry about getting him through the rest of this year.

"He's definitely going overseas to fulfil his dream there."

Arthur's comments come after Radradra's management hinted at him coming back before the end of NRL transfer deadline on June 30 next year.

The French rugby grand final is around May.

Arthur said Radradra, a two-time Dally M Winger of the Year, is still yet to reach peak form this season despite turning in a strong performance in last week's loss to Canberra.

The 24-year-old carried the ball for a team-high 184 metres, made a game-high seven tackle breaks, and assisted on two line breaks for the match.

"He's trying very hard. He's still not quite on top of his game at the moment, but he's working really hard and he'll get there<" Arthur said.

"We're hoping that when he goes overseas and he enjoys his footy there, but at some stage we want to see him back in the blue and gold."


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