IT was hard to tell if Nathan Peats was joking when he said: “It’s good to be back in Parra-dise.’’

Peats emerged as the third player the Eels might be forced to offload in order to become salary cap compliant and be free to play for competition points against South Sydney on Friday night.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur told Peats late Monday if the hooker could find a new club immediately, his remaining salary — along with the retirement of Anthony Watmough, and the $70,000 freed up by Ryan Morgan’s move to Melbourne — would make sure the club would wipe the $570,000 the NRL found they exceeded the cap.

Peats admitted he is in the dark as to what his future holds. Source: Getty Images

Round 19

It’s understood a number of other player options had been briefly discussed, none of which the Eels were willing to entertain.

The Gold Coast Titans quickly emerged as the frontrunners to sign Peats. However, the extent of those negotiations as of Tuesday night been nothing more than a brief phone call between Peats’ manager Sam Ayoub and the Titans’ new chief operating officer Brian Canavan.

Alarm bells will grow louder if a deal for Peats is not agreed before Thursday’s captain’s run.

Sadly, Peats now has to carry the unfair burden of knowing his movements in the next 48 hours could impact on the chances of his teammates playing for competition points.

After training the house down, then requesting to complete a few extra sets, Peats told a giant media scrum he had no idea when or even if he would leave the club.

“I’m staying positive with everything and I’m enjoying my time,’’ Peats said.

“It’s good to be back in Parra-dise. I’m happy. I’ve had a chat to a few people, it’s out of my control. I’ll let my manager sort things out.

“You guys know more than me. I’m pretty relaxed about everything. I’m not sure of the situation right now whether I have to go later or I’m going at all.

Eels coach Brad Arthur told Peats his name was the one that came up. Source: News Corp Australia

“My job is to be the No.9 for this team, and that’s my main priority for this week.

“It’s not ideal having your name thrown out there. I’ve enjoyed my time at Parramatta so far and I intend to keep enjoying my time — I’m still contracted until the end of the year.’’

Peats was given the option of ditching the planned interview when his name was linked to the Titans, but chose to front the cameras.

He said leaving Souths for Parramatta at the end of 2013 was the best thing he had ever done, while it was believed the Eels had indicated they were keen to retain him beyond this season.

Ayoub said there had been no contact with the Titans, and the only phone call he had made was to Canavan on Monday night. Ayoub added there had been no contact with any other club in regards to Peats.

Given the tight deadline, a contract could be thrashed out in a matter of hours if Peats agreed to terms with the Titans or any potential suitor who could squeeze him into their roster.

The Eels need to win 12 of their remaining 15 games to reach the finals. They are short-priced favourites against Souths on Friday night given the emotion of the first game since the Eels’ salary cap breaches left the fans stunned and angry with the board.

Barnstorming prop Junior Paulo was another player the Eels could have shed to help them become cap compliant. But the Eels are loathe to let Paulo join Canberra given his importance to the club’s faint finals’ charge.

In Peats’ case, if he left Parramatta would still have qualified hookers Isaac De Gois, Kaysa Pritchard, who showed Peats some love as they finished training on Tuesday, and Cameron King.

Peats’ teammates said there would be no bad blood if he chose to hang around, even if it meant they could not play for points.

“We wouldn’t be dirty, we’re a tight group, and if he stays and we don’t play for points, that’s something we have to face then,’’ Tepai Moeroa said.

Clint Gutherson, who just spent the week in City Origin camp with Peats, said his mate had to do what was best for his family.