MANLY officials have left the door open for Daly Cherry-Evans to make a shock switch to the Gold Coast this season as the club continues its fight to keep Kieran Foran.

Sea Eagles chief executive Joe Kelly met with Foran and his management on Monday — and Kelly remains convinced that Foran has not signed a deal with Parramatta.

While Cherry-Evans has already announced he is joining the Gold Coast at the end of the season to take up a four-year deal, Manly are debating whether they should send Cherry-Evans packing immediately so the club can up its offer to keep Foran.

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media_camera A swift exit for Daly Cherry-Evans could be key to Manly keeping Kieran Foran.

Gold Coast coach Neil Henry said on Sunday that he would be open to the possibility if the two clubs could work out the right deal.

Kelly denied that a player swap had even been discussed, but he did not rule it out.

“I haven’t had a chance to even discuss it internally yet,” Kelly said.

“I haven’t contemplated it. I believe Neil Henry went on radio on Monday (and spoke about the

possibility of a player swap).”

Asked if he would consider it, Kelly reiterated: “I haven’t contemplated it and until I have spoken to our recruitment and retention committee about that I probably can’t make any further

comment.”

But if it was absolutely out of the question, you would imagine Kelly would have said ‘no’ straight up.

Gold Coast five-eighth Aidan Sezer has already been mentioned a possible target for Manly for next season, along with boom young half-back Kane Elgey who was in the Holden Cup team of the year.

The Sea Eagles are also in desperate need of some forward reinforcements and the Gold Coast has some attractive options on that front.

Henry said on Sunday for a deal to happen, players would have to agree to it, which could be the tricky part given the season is underway and it would require an immediate move interstate.

While money is not the issue that will decide Foran’s future, it is understood he is concerned about the direction the club is heading in.

Friday night’s 42-12 thumping by the Eels certainly would not have helped Manly’s chances of keeping their star five-eighth.

media_camera The talk is that is would be better for Daly Cherry-Evans to leave Manly quickly.

Foran’s priority is to play at a club that can improve him as a footballer and it is known he has a healthy respect for Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, who he stays in regular contact with.

It is understood Foran is torn about leaving his mates at Manly and the club that gave him his NRL start.

Asked if the offer to Foran had been increased, Kelly said: “Our offer remains but we are in discussions.

“It was a good positive meeting. I don’t want to go into the negations at all.

“We have caught up and we are remaining optimistic we are going to work our way through those negotiations.”

Asked if he had been told directly that Foran had not yet committed to Parramatta, Kelly said: “I have been told he hasn’t signed with Parramatta.

“I just don’t know if it will be resolved in the next few days. We are just taking our time with this one and we are in constant dialogue.

“Conversations are good and we remain optimistic. I am being absolutely honest with you.”