THE Kieran Foran standoff is expected to be resolved on Thursday with Parramatta positioned to end another bizarre episode of back-room politics by landing their marquee player.

In what blue and gold icon Peter Sterling labelled the most important signing in the Eels history, the Kiwi Test five-eighth is expected to decline a multi-million dollar lifetime contract with Manly to honour his contract with the Eels.

Despite Parramatta’s best efforts at sabotaging the deal, a long telephone conversation between coach Brad Arthur and Foran on Wednesday has re-assured the marquee signing the Eels are far from the basket case they appear.

media_camera Foran’s honour and respect for Brad Athur appear crucial.

ARTHUR: ‘I won’t walk away’

FORAN: How did it come to this?

CONTRACT: Manly to offer DCE-sized deal

POWER: Arthur under pressure

In another strong development, Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp told Wednesday’s Fox Sports Sterlo On The Couch program Arthur was safe as head coach despite speculation elements at the club were campaigning to have him sacked.

If Foran does end the absurd contract standoff with the Eels on Thursday, the development will be a silver-lining for Parramatta’s legion of long-suffering supporters with the club’s new recruits for next season expected to include Foran, NSW Origin backrower Beau Scott and gun fullback Michael Gordon.

After 72 hours of internal brawling, a blame game over the emergence of two different contracts and rival NRL clubs lining-up to swoop, ultimately it is expected to be Foran’s loyalty which delivers the star playmaker to Parramatta.

Eels legend Sterling has paid the Kiwi Test star the ultimate compliment, labelling him “the most important signing the club has made in living history.”

“Kieran Foran is a leader. He’s a Test captain at a young age. I’ve had him as the best young player in the game for many years,” Sterling said.

“He is the most important signing that our club has made in living history.

“For it now to be in jeopardy as a Parramatta fan and former player it’s disappointing because I don’t see a plan B.”

In another positive development, Eels chairman Sharp addressed the widely-accepted friction between coach Arthur and Eels head of football operations Daniel Anderson.

Both strong personalities, Sharp conceded they regularly engaged in “robust debate” around recruitment decisions but were capable of having a working rapport for the betterment of the club.

On the subject of the Eels bungled negotiations, including the club submitting two different contracts to the NRL and the ridiculous $1 million get out clause, Sharp was adamant he was unaware of its existence until earlier this month.

“Early in June we first became aware of some irregularities in the contract,” Sharp said.

“We have a process when a contract of this magnitude is followed. That process has fallen down this time.

media_camera Foran’s friendship with Mitchell Pearce could have made the Roosters a realistic option.

“One of those irregularities put the club at a financial risk and we called the NRL immediately to put the contract on hold.

“I’m not prepared to point the finger (but) human error has been involved.

“I had not seen a contract with that clause in it until I was made aware of it.”

If the Eels fail to break bread in the embarrassing contract fiasco with Foran, the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown are expected to battle over his signature.

But Parramatta were still desperately clinging to the negotiating table last night due to Foran’s desire to honour his word and remain loyal on the handshake agreement he made with the Eels in March.

Foran’s agent, Paul Sutton, held a meeting with salary cap auditor Jamie L’Oste-Brown at NRL headquarters yesterday to check whether the contract signed by ex-CEO Scott Seward was still recognised by the NRL.

It is, meaning in order for the Eels to rubberstamp a deal with their marquee man today the club will need to resolve the issue of the ridiculous $1 million damages clause.