FOR A bloke who is about to sign one of the best five-eighths in the world, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is entitled to be a little less cagey.

As news intensified Foran was about to officially link with the Eels on a mega-rich four-year deal, Arthur refused to be drawn on the signing saga.

His 8.15am press call was at times tense as questions started and eventually finished about Foran.

media_camera Eels coach Brad Arthur denies any deal has been struck with Kieran Foran.

Arthur made it perfectly clear he was tired of being hammered about Foran when no deal had yet been done.

Like Foran, Arthur has done everything in his powers to make sure the deal didn’t transcend into the public circus that was Daly Cherry-Evans and the Gold Coast Titans.

Angry: Foran fuming after $4.7m Eels deal leaked

Interview: Manly backflip forced Cherry-Evans out

DCE says: Don’t blame me for Watmough leaving

As Arthur told The Daily Telegraph: “I think we’re starting to get a bit of respect in the player market now because we keep things in-house. It’s no disrespect to anyone, but that’s how it is.

“I’m over it. I’ve been fair to all the journos all along, I’ve been honest all along, I don’t talk about recruitment and won’t change my stance because it’s a matter for the club and the player. That’s how it is.

media_camera Kieran Foran of the Sea Eagles leaves the field during the round one NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Manly Sea Eagles at Pirtek Stadium on March 6, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

“If the deal gets done and when it get done, we’ll then let everyone know about it.’’

Arthur confirmed he had spoken to Foran on numerous occasions, and even chatted to him in the sheds last Friday night after the Eels thumped Manly by 30 points.

But that conversation was about “football’’ and not any pending move for Foran from the northern beaches to the suburbs.

“I talk to him (Foran) all the time, but I talked to (Sea Eagles rake) Matty Ballin last night, so does that mean I want to sign Matty Ballin?’’ Arthur said.

It’s no secret Foran has a huge respect for Arthur.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler also has plenty of time for Foran, and was in the race for the No. 6’s signature.

Hasler deflected the question on Tuesday when asked if would have wanted Foran at Belmore in 2016.

Instead, he spoke about how Parramatta were a club rebuilding, and he could “understand their strategy’’, but also didn’t want to see other clubs suffer as a result.

“When a club like Manly loses five marquee players over the past 12 months, that’s not good for the game,’’ Hasler said.

As for tonight’s ding-dong battle of the west, Arthur stressed the importance of his players backing up their effort against Manly.

Anthony Watmough and Darcy Lussick in particular gave their all against their former club in the opener, and must somehow mentally and physically lift against the giant Dogs pack.

The Eels have lost Junior Paulo for nine weeks because of his dangerous throw, with his replacement Danny Wicks — who returns for the first time since being imprisoned for drugs charges — to be given about 20 minutes to help ease him back.