Clint Gutherson is adamant he wants to avoid his contract negotiations turning into a circus again as Parramatta's NRL season threatens to spiral out of control.
The spotlight on the Eels' three straight losses has moved slightly from coach Brad Arthur's future to that of Gutherson, amid suggestions the captain could want a new deal worth $1 million a season.
Gutherson is not off contract until the end of next year but will be able to talk to other clubs from November 1.
Before the star fullback signed his current deal in 2019, speculation reached fever pitch with reports of a club-imposed deadline on a decision and fears his knee was not reliable.
"Obviously anyone going through it would like to avoid that (circus happening again)," Gutherson said.
"I'm just going to leave that up to him (manager Sam Ayoub), that's why we pay him.
"Whenever he needs me he will call me back. But I haven't spoken to him yet."
The 26-year-old said he was in the dark as to where talk of his supposed asking price had come from, with speculation it was from within the club.
"I have no clue where that came from," Gutherson said.
"They're trying to make it hard on us (as a team). But it's just a part of the part of the game, it doesn't affect us.
"It's just people going about their business what they need to do and we're just worried about winning and getting back on track."
Regardless of Gutherson's situation, the Eels desperately need a win on Saturday night against Manly.
Now without hooker Reed Mahoney due to a shoulder injury, they have the toughest run home of any team and will drop below the Sea Eagles and out of the top four with a loss.
Pressure has mounted on Arthur after failing to make an impact in the finals since 2017.
Questions have also been asked about whether the Eels' roster is good enough to challenge for the title, with Gutherson adamant they believe it is.
Players insist they are as responsible for losses as Arthur, and want to make this week a line-in-the-sand game.
"It's a statement for ourselves, it's a statement for all of Western Sydney back at home," Ryan Matterson said.
"It's a statement for our families and friends. It's a statement for ourselves as individuals.
"It's much, much bigger than Brad."
