Jack Bird has declared he wants to stay at St George Illawarra despite confirming he spoke with NRL rivals after the club pulled out of a deal at the end of 2021.
Bird remains off-contract at season's end and is the Dragons last big name to renegotiate a new deal after all but conceding they will cut Tariq Sims free for next year.
The centre-turned-back-rower was offered a two-year deal at the end of last year, but opted not to sign when given a deadline to decide his future.
That prompted meetings with both Wayne Bennett and Brad Arthur over the summer.
However, the 26-year-old said he had let talks with the Eels run cold, while also making clear to Bennett that he does not want to move back to Queensland for the Dolphins.
Instead, he said he was hopeful a resolution would be reached to stay at the Red V, with talks well advanced.
"The talks are back in action now and I have made it clear I want to stay here and be here in the long run," Bird said.
"I have always made it clear I want to stay at the Dragons. I am back home with my family and friends
"Hopefully we can come to a decision in the next few weeks."
Bird's future has been a point of constant headlines in recent months, with Bennett declaring his interest this week and the Eels' inquiries becoming public.
The former NSW State of Origin player said that those conversations had largely revolved around being an Isaiah Papali'i replacement for Parramatta, after accepting he will play his career out in the forwards.
But he denied there was any aspect of greed in speaking to other clubs before returning to talk with the Dragons to shore up his future.
"(Reports) have made me look selfish and greedy, but it wasn't about money," Bird said.
"I have only spoken to (Brad Arthur) once, but like every other player they talk to different clubs.
"I keep in contact with Wayne every now and then but nothing to do with Dolphins.
"It's just part of the game. You have to try and get the best deal you can get. I am getting older now and have obviously had some bad injuries."
Bird's comments come as Dragons captain Ben Hunt urged the club to keep the Wollongong junior.
"You need a few players in your side every week who can play any number of positions," Hunt said.
"Jack is one of those. So I think it would be pretty smart from the club to look after him and keep him around."
The Dragons will pay tribute to the late Norm Provan before Friday's clash with Penrith, with the main grandstand at Kogarah to be renamed in the Immortal's honour.
