The 23-year-old was spotted dining inside Canterbury Leagues Club with Bulldogs officials including coach Trent Barrett, general manager of football Phil Gould and club chairman John Khoury.

Mahoney was accompanied by manager Sam Ayoub and reportedly told the dinner party he would make a decision by the end of the month.

Mahoney is contracted to the Eels for next season but is free to negotiate with rival clubs and has also been linked to NRL newcomers the Dolphins as well as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

He's one of a number of Parramatta players coming off contract at the end of 2022, including skipper Clint Gutherson and forwards Junior Paulo, Isaiah Papali'i and Ryan Matterson.

Veteran prop Regan Campbell-Gillard also stated he wanted to play for the Dolphins but last week re-signed with the Eels.

Mahoney has played 73 games for the Eels since making his debut in 2018.

He was named in the Queensland State of Origin squad and would have made his debut had he not suffered a shoulder injury, with a re-occurrence ending his season in early August.

Mahoney attempted to start his NRL career with the Bulldogs after moving to Sydney from the Sunshine Coast but was cut midway through the under 20s season in 2016.

Canterbury, who collected the 2021 wooden spoon, are in the midst of a roster rebuild with Josh Addo-Carr, Brent Naden, Tevita Pangai Junior, Matt Burton, Matt Dufty and Paul Vaughan all joining the club for next season.

Australian Associated Press