Parramatta will not attempt to lure Semi Radradra out of his French rugby union deal, despite domestic violence charges against the winger being dropped.
However they'd happily welcome the one-time Australian representative back if he wants to return at the end of his two-year stint with Toulon, according to chief executive Bernie Gurr.
Radradra's charges were dropped at the prosecution's request on Tuesday at Parramatta Local Court, ending the 10-month saga.
But it came at a cost to Parramatta, with Radradra's manager saying his star client wouldn't have signed to leave the NRL if the charges hadn't been levelled.
"Semi loves rugby league and loves the Eels," his manager, George Christodoulou said outside the court.
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"But in the end he had to take care of business."
At the time of the Toulon deal, the Eels had offered a three-year contract to Radradra to stay in the NRL.
But Gurr said he understood Radradra and his manager seeking a contingency plan overseas.
"Quite frankly, if he didn't look at a contingency plan he would be negligent," Gurr said.
Despite the news, it's understood the Eels won't attempt to pressure Radradra into remaining in the NRL in 2018.
"We've got on with life too," Gurr said.
"We've been very disciplined and putting a planning process around our player roster and salary cap."
But they'd be open to seeing him back at the club in 2020 when his French deal is up.
"Semi has been a wonderful contributor to Parramatta and we certainly would not rule it out," Gurr said.
"If that's what he and his manager decided in the future they wanted to pursue that avenue of discussion with us - we would certainly be open to it."
Christodoulou also hinted at the noted try-scorer's frustration at being left out of last year's Australian Four Nations squad as a result of the charges.
"He'd love nothing more than to wear the Kangaroos jersey again," Christodolou said.
"It's a sad outcome of these whole proceedings that it cost him his Kangaroos jersey - the jersey that he cherished most out of any jersey that he has ever worn."
His former partner Perina Ting had accused him of punching her in the face in November 2014 and pushing her into a wall in 2015.
The charges were withdrawn after Ms Ting finished giving evidence, including cross-examination.
"Semi is a very humble, soft loving man. This has really taken its toll on him as a human being," Christodoulou said.
"The allegations of domestic violence levelled against any man - it's one of the most heinous crimes that anyone can be accused of."
