BRINGING Jarryd Hayne back to the Parramatta Eels would have forced the club to pay him $500,000 for five dead-rubber games and cut two key players to fit under the salary cap.

Hayne was determined to return to the NRL immediately after his failed attempt to make Fiji’s gold medal-winning Rio Sevens team.

Parramatta Eels administrator Max Donnelly told the Parramatta Advertiser the club could not afford to bring Hayne to the club in 2016, but offered him the opportunity to return to the club in 2017.

media_camera Jarryd Hayne was a fan favourite among Eels supporters during his time at Parramatta..

Gold Coast offered a more lucrative offer and agreed to let Hayne play immediately, which is why the former San Francisco 49er is now a Titan.

“We couldn’t make the eight and it would have cost $500,000 to $600,000 to have him play out the season,” Donnelly said.

“We were happy to offer him a contract for the next three years worth $2.5 million, but the Gold Coast offered him $2.4 million over two years and the opportunity to play this year, which is something that we couldn’t do.

“The only thing that annoyed me is that he said ­Parramatta never made him an offer. With every discussion, a verbal agreement is reached before a contract is made.

“Jarryd didn’t help ­himself, and he alienated himself from a lot of ­Parramatta fans.”

media_camera Parramatta Eels administrator Max Donnelly. Picture: Brett Costello

Donnelly said the club would have had to cut two players to fit Hayne under the salary cap. Parramatta’s playing stocks had already been reduced during the season as the club released Junior Paulo and Nathan Peats after being found guilty of breaching the salary cap.

Donnelly said the club would still welcome Hayne back if he wanted to ­return to the Eels after his contract with the ­Titans expires at the end of the 2018 season.

“I wouldn’t give up hope of bringing him back,” Donnelly said.

“When his contract is up at the Gold Coast he will still be only 30 … but that would be the coach’s decision.”