The Knights move that may have cost cash-strapped Eels Jarryd Hayne

The Knights have reportedly dropped them out of the race for Michael Jennings.

FORMER EDITOR | November 14, 2018 - 9:25am

NRL Rd 19 - Eels v Bulldogs — SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Jarryd Hayne of the Eels looks on during the round 19 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on July 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

It is becomingly increasingly unlikely that off-contract star Jarryd Hayne will be at Parramatta next season.

After signing ex-Rabbioth Hymlet Hunt, it is understood that the Newcastle Knights are no longer interested in adding Eels centre Michael Jennnings

Which means Parrammatta are unable to offer Hayne a new contract without offloading some salary first, given they reportedly have only $200,000 in their cap for next season.

Meanwhile, the Knights have been on a spending spree, with only 24 players under contract on November 1 and have since acquired Hunt, Warriors prop James Gavet, Canterbury hooker Zac Woolford and are on their way to signing ex-Bulldog David Klemmer.

It leaves Newcastle with just two spots to fill n their top 30 ahead of the June 30 deadline, and coach Nathan Brown is reportedly keen to promote a younger player within the club prior to March 1.

Jennings seems to be off the agenda given Brown's team already has ample depth in their outside backs with Jesse Ramien, Tautau Moga, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Edrick Lee, Nathan Ross and Brayden Musgrove.