England starlet Junior Kpoku has been hit with a whopping €500,000 (£425,000) price tag by Racing 92, who are determined to keep hold of their young lock despite growing interest from Premiership clubs, RugbyPass reports.
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Sale Sharks are leading the chase for the 19-year-old, while the RFU have reportedly offered a boosted deal in a bid to bring him back to England. However, the Parisians are refusing to play ball — and the eye-watering fee could put an end to any hopes of a return.
Born in England to parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kpoku is the youngest of three rugby-playing brothers, with Jonathan and Joel Kpoku also in the professional ranks.
The former Saracens academy product signed with Exeter Chiefs in August 2023 but made a surprise switch to Racing just two months later due to family reasons. He’s since made 19 appearances for the French giants, including a memorable Top 14 debut in the Paris derby against Stade Français in February 2024.
Kpoku is under contract until 2027 and will become eligible to play for France next year through residency — a major blow for Steve Borthwick, who personally met with the powerhouse forward in a bid to lure him back to the Premiership setup.
Racing, though, seem in no mood to let one of their brightest young stars walk away without a serious payday.
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With fresh cash and bold ambitions, here are five blockbuster names that Red Bull could target to launch their rugby revolution:
🥇 #1. Liam Williams
One of Wales’ most explosive players over the past decade, Liam Williams is a British & Irish Lion, a Grand Slam winner, and a former Champions Cup finalist with Saracens.
Now a free agent after his latest spell in Japan, the 33-year-old brings elite experience, attacking flair, and a fierce competitive edge. A big-money move back to the Premiership could be tempting—and he’s exactly the kind of box-office name the Falcons need to lift their profile.
🧱 #2. Zach Mercer
A former England international and double Top 14 winner with Montpellier, Mercer was once hailed as the long-term solution at No. 8 for the national team.
After a stop-start year at Gloucester, he’s now a free agent, heavily linked with Toulon. Still only 27, he combines dynamic ball-carrying with intelligent link play and leadership. A signing of serious ambition for any club.
