Parramatta has three vacancies remaining in its 2027 squad after securing Jarome Luai and Jaydn Su'A for next season.
One position is expected to go to 32-year-old forward Junior Paulo, although his future beyond 2026 remains unsettled.
Paulo was previously linked with Perth, but negotiations reportedly ended after the expansion club baulked at his asking price of $900,000.
That financial gap has now complicated discussions over a possible return to the Eels, according to Scott Pryde.
"It's a weird situation," Scott Pryde said on this week's episode of the NRL Contract Show.
"Junior Paulo was chasing, I think, $900,000 in Perth. They baulked at that asking price, and fair enough."
"He's then come back to Parramatta and will have to take a lot less than $900,000 to stay at Parra. As we understand it, the money is still the sticking point."
"It's up in the air where Paulo plays next year."
Pryde said Parramatta is unlikely to make major further moves before pre-season, with most clubs beginning with 28 or 29 players.
"One of those is likely to go to Junior Paulo, which then leaves two," Pryde added.