The Eels are hellbent on retaining the off-contract five-eighth, all but ending the chances of Hayne running out in the blue and gold in 2017 if he decided to return to the 13-man game.

While Norman has made no secret of his desire to remain at Parramatta, the Queenslander could be forced to begin negotiating with rival clubs if the Eels don't budge on their $2.1 million ($700,000 a year) offer for the next three years.

Parramatta asked Norman to refrain from testing the open market until the club's salary cap situation had been resolved, with Norman agreeing to do so in the hope of staying at the club.

But Parramatta have Kieran Foran and Michael Jennings on back-ended deals, limiting the space in their cap for next season despite shedding Junior Paulo and Nathan Peats.

Given Norman will be unlikely to attract third-party arrangements with the dark cloud over the club, the Eels will have to fit the bulk of his contract in the salary cap for next season.

Norman said he hasn't considered the implications Hayne's potential return could have on his career.

"I guess we'll have to worry about that if that ever happens," Norman said. "I don't know what's going to happen so I can't worry about that. I don't know what he'll do. I don't even think he knows what he's going to do.

"I woke up yesterday and it was all over the media and I thought it was one of those prank things. But he actually has done it. Good on him, when you're good enough you can just switch codes like that."

There are few clubs, if any, with the space in the salary cap next season to accommodate Norman if he decides to dip his toe in the water.

Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks have options to leave the Wests Tigers but  are unlikely to get the $600,000 they will if they stay put, while Luke Keary's stocks have dropped this season.

With Cooper Cronk set to re-sign at Melbourne, Norman is the best playmaker on the market but he may have to drop his price to stay at Parramatta.

"I think my manager and them are still trying to sort something out this week," Norman said.

"With all that drama over now hopefully we can move forward. I didn't go on the market because I wanted to stay at Parramatta. I love the club, I love the coaching staff and I love the boys. I gave Parramatta every opportunity so I can stay here."

Nathan Peats' departure has allowed Parramatta to focus their attention on retaining Norman, with the Gold Coast Titans' new rake declaring he left the club knowing it would mean Norman would stay.

While Norman is unsure if he was next in the firing line if Peats had stood his ground, he felt bad to see Peats depart.

"I did feel bad even though it probably doesn't have anything to do with me," Norman said.