JARRYD Hayne’s future beyond the Rio Olympics is well and truly up in the air.
The cross-code star continues to fight for a plane ticket to the Games with the Fiji Sevens side, but where he lands after August is anyone’s guess.
Fox Sports’ chief rugby league reporter James Hooper revealed to NRL Tonight there’s five NRL clubs currently in the race for the former NSW star’s signature.
Hayne’s former club Parramatta leads the race by a nose, but there’s four others hot on their heels.
It’s believed Australian rugby is also in the hunt to sign him, although Hayne will be ineligible for the Wallabies given his allegiance to Fiji.
Hooper says it’s looking more and more likely Hayne will return to the NRL in 2017.
“Start the bidding war … I’m a betting person and I do believe that Jarryd Hayne will most likely be playing in the NRL next year,” Hooper said.
“They pick the Fiji Sevens team for the Rio Olympic Games on the 15th (and) they’re going to take 13 players.
“I get the feeling Jarryd Hayne is somehow miraculously going to be one of those 13 players.
“The Olympics are done by the end of August and I think we’ll see him back in Australia.
“There are a number of NRL clubs, Parramatta head them at the moment.
“They’ve been in negotiations, preliminary discussions, with Jarryd already for around six weeks.
“There are four other NRL clubs I’ve been told today that are also lining up ready to lure him back.”
Hayne has played his cards close to his chest in regards to his future.