The Gold Coast have earmarked Canberra centre Joey Leilua as the man to replace Jarryd Hayne if the cross-code star returns to Parramatta.

Hayne, in camp with the Fijian national squad, is considering whether to ask for a release from his $1.2 million Titans deal to switch back to the Eels. He will need to take a hefty pay cut to do so as the Eels are only prepared to offer him about half that amount for a one-year deal.

Canterbury announced that the NRL had officially deemed them salary-cap compliant for the 2018 season after offloading fullback Brad Abbey to the nation's capital. The Raiders, however, have some work to do before they get under the limit. They will need to move on at least one big name and have been shopping Leilua around to rival clubs. The Titans, regardless of whether they move Hayne on, have expressed interest, although it's likely they will only be able to afford him if the former San Francisco 49er departs.

Leilua has been on the cusp of State of State of Origin selection in recent seasons. The 25-year-old would have debuted for the Blues in place of an injured Josh Morris in game two of the 2016 series had Canberra coach Ricky Stuart not rejected a request to have him in camp as a shadow player. The former Knights and Roosters three-quarter earned Dally M centre-of-the-year honours that season and signed a two-year extension only four months ago. However, his form has since tailed off and the Green Machine are prepared to release him to help balance the books.