LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRL is stepping in to resolve the ongoing contract standoff concerning outside back Zac Lomax, currently involving the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels.
Lomax has been in a precarious situation since Parramatta agreed to release him from the remaining three years of his contract, contingent on one critical stipulation: he cannot join a rival NRL club without the Eels' consent during that timeframe.
The scenario has become more intricate after Lomax's potential transfer to the alternate rugby competition R360 faced delays, with the league's launch now postponed until 2028.
This setback has rekindled Lomax's interest in returning to the NRL, with the Melbourne Storm emerging as the favored option.
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, negotiations indicate that the Storm has offered around $200,000 in compensation to Parramatta, a figure deemed reasonable by market standards.
For context, the Canterbury Bulldogs previously paid Wests Tigers $165,000 last season to acquire Lachlan Galvin mid-year.
Despite this, Parramatta has so far rejected the offer, and Melbourne has also declined proposals to include star winger Xavier Coates in any potential agreement.