Electric Eel Krisnan Inu ready to ink Parramatta deal

PARRAMATTA young gun Krisnan Inu hopes his future can be secured by the end of the week.
One of the most marketable young talents in rugby league, Inu yesterday revealed how close he was to striking a deal with the Eels shortly after completing a pre-season training session at AFL club Essendon in Melbourne.

The New Zealand international appears certain to follow teammate Jarryd Hayne's loyalty by ignoring lucrative offers from rivals to remain at Parramatta.

"I think they've been talking to my manager (Isaac Moses) over the past few weeks, but nothing's been finalised," Inu, 20, said.

"We're trying to get it sorted this week.

"Maybe he will let me know when I get back (to Sydney) today or tomorrow but I won't know anything (until then)."

Inu had been circled by several clubs including the Roosters, Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cronulla.

Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald said last night a deal with Inu was close to being reached.

"We've been talking to him for a couple of weeks and we're getting pretty close," Fitzgerald said.
"We're not there yet, but we're very close."

However, Eels coach Michael Hagan said an early Christmas present of Inu's signature was unlikely.

"Hopefully in the second week of January we can get it tied up," he said.

Inu and Hayne, who squared off in October's Test match between New Zealand and Australia, are close mates of Storm sensation Israel Folau. Their friendship stretches back to primary school.

Inu expects the trio to be heavily targeted next season after taking the competition by storm in 2007.

"I hope not, but you can't change that," he said.

"The Anzac Test (in April) was the big one for me after playing one first-grade game.

"I thought it was all right because no one knew me, I had no real hype to live up to, no expectations.

"I was free to do whatever. But now, as the season's gone past, people have seen what I can do and it's a bit harder, knowing what I can do."