Parramatta Eels have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Moses Leota, the powerhouse prop who has been instrumental in Penrith Panthers’ historic run of four consecutive premierships. Despite being contracted until 2027, Leota has been granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs, opening the door for one of the most significant moves in recent NRL history.
Penrith face mounting salary cap pressure, with stars like Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o, and Liam Martin all commanding top-tier deals. Losing Leota could ease financial strain but weaken their forward dominance. For Parramatta, securing him would be a game-changing recruitment coup, potentially reshaping the balance of power in western Sydney.
If this deal goes through, it would be one of the biggest recruitment stories of 2026, with Parramatta potentially landing the kind of player who can transform their premiership fortunes.