We won’t give up on DCE, Foran: Manly

New Manly boss Joe Kelly has declared the NRL club will continue to do all it can to secure the signatures of off contract playmakers Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.

At the Sea Eagles season launch on Thursday night, Kelly dismissed reports that Foran had already committed to a four-year, multi-million dollar deal with Parramatta.

Cherry-Evans has been linked to a number of suitors including the Eels and big money offers from Cronulla and Gold Coast.

But Kelly said the race to sign the representative duo wasn’t over yet.

“We are still in the fight and we won’t give up,” Kelly said.

“Kieran and his management team have given me assurances that he hasn’t signed anywhere else and we believe he is a man of his word.

“I’m sure decisions will be made shortly and we are still very much in negotiations with both Kieran and Daly.”

Coach Geoff Toovey remains confident the representative duo will stay at Brookvale and pointed to Manly’s retention of in-demand centre Steve Matai as proof players want to stay at the club.

“I am very positive that they will stay at the club, it would be great for the club and it would be in the best interests of the two players as well,” Toovey told AAP.

“I think their football is best suited to our style of play and each other.”

Both Cherry-Evans and Foran are expected to make an announcement on their playing futures beyond this season before the NRL premiership kicks off next week.

The NRL took over administration of the Gold Coast on Wednesday, and a number of clubs are privately seething that the governing body’s support of the Titans, could ensure they snare Queensland and Australian playmaker Cherry-Evans.

At the season launch earlier on Thursday chief executive Dave Smith was adamant the NRL would not be helping the Titans recruit players.

“I haven’t had any conversations (with Cherry-Evans’ management),” Smith said.

“We were able to make that official announcement yesterday to step in and bring in the receivers.

“The players that they ultimately end up with, that’s a matter for the Titans club.

“We don’t get involved in recruitment.

“So what that means is DCE feels free to make whatever decision he wants that is best for him and best for his life and best for the game.”

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