'Can't understand the logic': NRL legend slams Tim Mannah move

Parramatta favourite son Tim Mannah will face off against his beloved blue and golds for the first time in his NRL career next month as he gets set to complete a shock move to the Wests Tigers.

The Eels are expected to announce Mannah's formal departure as early as Wednesday after he requested a release following his relegation to reserve grade.

Rather than see out the rest of his deal with the Eels, the Parramatta club captain has asked to be allowed to move on.

He is expected to sign a six-month deal with the Tigers taking him through to the end of 2019, however the 31-year-old's future beyond that is unknown.

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The Tigers had hoped to have his deal done by Tuesday so that he could be named to take on North Queensland on Friday night, however they are unable to trumpet Mannah's signing until his formal release by the Eels.

Instead, the joint venture's clash with South Sydney a fortnight later and following the representative round break, shapes as his likely Tigers debut.

It also sets the stage for an emotional showdown against his former club at Bankwest Stadium on July 14.

Not everyone is a fan of the move, with Balmain legend Benny Elias slamming the Tigers for pursuing the veteran.

Speaking to Fox Sports, Elias said he had plenty of respect for Mannah as a person, but had doubts about his ability to produce for the Tigers.

“Firstly, let me start by saying Tim Mannah is one of the most genuine, decent blokes I have ever met in the game of rugby league,” Elias said.

“And I’ve got full faith in Michael Maguire as a coach and what he’s trying to do at the club.

“But from a pure football point of view, I can’t understand the logic in why the Tigers have gone and signed Tim Mannah.

“He is one of the world’s nicest human beings but from a football point of view I wouldn’t buy him with counterfeit money”.

“Right now the Tigers need to be focused on building for the future.

There’s a young crop of forwards there headed by the likes of Alex Twal, Thomas Mikaele, Josh Aloiai and Matt Eisenhuth who are the type of players we need to build the club around.”

Mannah spent 11 years in Sydney's west, playing 233 first-grade games as well as four Origins for NSW, making four appearances for NSW City and turning out in four Tests for Lebanon.

WITH AAP