The Sea Eagles ensured Steve Matai would remain a one-club man after the representative centre accepted a two-year extension. However, the signatures officials are sweating on most belong to Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. Both international halves have received the club's "best offers", with "DCE" meeting with keen suitors Cronulla and the Gold Coast.

Foran is being pursued by clubs including the Warriors, Roosters and Parramatta, with the latter believed to be the favourite. The rumour mill was abuzz on Wednesday with speculation a deal with the Eels could be announced as soon as Friday, but that was denied by all parties. Foran's manager Paul Sutton said he hadn't talked dollars with rivals and wouldn't until such time as the New Zealand pivot made a decision on Manly.

"I've spoken to Manly, we've got a deal and it's just up to Kieran whether he wants to stay there or not," Sutton said. "Then we go from there. I haven't even spoken to the other clubs, there's no point in getting involved in all of that if he doesn't want to go. I've just got to see what he wants to do. You've got to give Manly first opportunity and that's what we've done."

The retention of Matai, a fellow Kiwi representative, is likely to increase Manly's chances of keeping Foran given they are close mates. However, Sutton said there was no time frame on a decision and it could drag into the season. "It depends on Kieran and his mindset," he said. "He'll wrap it up when he gets to that point, when he's made the decision."

Manly coach Geoff Toovey remained confident his halves pair would stay put and hoped a decision would be made before the club's season opener against Parramatta. "It must be a distraction to them, I mean there is a lot of media around it which doesn't help," Toovey said. "I think the quicker for everyone they make a decision the better. Obviously we are pretty confident they will stay and we are just waiting for a decision."

Cherry-Evans was spotted on the Gold Coast talking with Titans officials earlier this week, but Toovey had no issue with the pair exploring their options. "He is a professional and he is very focused on his football, so there are no dramas," Toovey said. "It was his day off. They don't have to inform me. Obviously he is a player of interest to other clubs and we just move on. As I've said, I don't talk about individual contracts but we are doing our best to keep the two and that is what we are working hard at."

Matai has taken numerous pay cuts to ensure the Sea Eagles keep their gun squad together and did so again after knocking back lucrative approaches from Gold Coast and the Warriors.

"Signing a new deal is always a great feeling, but signing on with the same club after all these years is something pretty special," Matai said. "There's been a lot of speculation of late, so to have my future sorted before the start of the season is great. It means my focus can simply go back to ensuring I'm fit and ready for action as soon as possible.

"The main priority was always my family – my partner Kate and my two little kids. Everything I do is for them. They start school soon, so not having to relocate definitely played a part in the decision, too. My goal is always to make them happy. If they're happy, then I'm happy and I've done my job. We've developed a proud winning culture here at the club, which has been established over many years, and I know we've got the players, talent and desire to be up there once again."