The Eels are still smarting after missing out on the signature of Jarryd Hayne, but have no intention of letting Arthur slip away. Arthur is contracted until the end of 2017, but officials want to secure his services long term before he has a chance to go on the open market.

It's understood the blue and golds are keen to keep the clipboard holder on their books for an additional two seasons in the belief he can become the first coach since John Monie in 1986 to deliver Parramatta a premiership.

"He's done a good job and the club want to extend his contract," interim Eels boss Max Donnelly said. "We've commenced negotiations to extend his contract."

Arthur has been a rock for Parramatta at a time when the club has been beset by multiple crises. The year began with much promise after the Eels signed Kieran Foran and Michael Jennings and opened their premiership campaign strongly.

However, the salary cap scandal effectively ended any chance of a playoffs appearance and other dramas include the parting with troubled captain Foran, the Corey Norman drugs drama, the Semi Radradra domestic violence allegations, the sacking of the Eels board and the loss of key players Junior Paulo and Nathan Peats. Hayne's decision to join the Gold Coast was the latest setback after the former San Francisco 49er went back on a promise never to play against them.

While the dramas were not of his making, Arthur has been the man left to front the media and field questions when no one else at the club was prepared to take the heat. His retention would be a welcome good-news story for a club in desperate need of one.

Negotiations are still in their early stages, but the fact that they have kicked off so soon after the installation of a new, temporary management structure at the Eels is an indication that Arthur's signature is a priority. The majority of the playing squad is not off-contract until the end of next season and several stars have indicated they want assurances Arthur will be around long term before re-signing.

Arthur has proven a loyal servant of the club, knocking back a $1 million-per-season approach from Manly when the Sea Eagles were trying to retain Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans. He did so at a time when the former administration was reneging on a deal to upgrade and extend his stay.

Hayne's decision to turn his back on Parramatta was the hot topic of conversation at Arthur's pre-game press conference on Thursday. "We are comfortable with Jarryd's decision," Arthur said.

"He has to do what is best for him and I have a responsibility to the club and the fans long term in making sure we put ourselves in a good space and a good place with our list that we can retain everyone.

"I am also accountable to this team and keeping them together. I am committed and we are committed to the blokes that are committed to us."

Parramatta's offer to Hayne was $500,000 a season below what he could earn on the Gold Coast. Hayne on Thursday performed another backflip of sorts, conceding the Eels had offered him a contract just a day after claiming they hadn't.

The Eels would have had to shed some of their current players in order to up their offer and weren't prepared to do so. "At the end of 2017, we have Manu Ma'u, Tepai Moeroa, Clinton Gutherson, Brad Takairangi, Peni Terepo off-contract and they are important to me, they are important to this club and they are important to this team and there is no way we would run the risk of losing those guys," Arthur said.