Mako Vunipola responds to latest transfer rumours

It’s been speculated by The Rugby Paper that his £400,000 salary demands have put his future in London in doubt, but he’s dubbed those reports “not true.”

Vunipola’s explosive carrying, stable scrummaging and fly-half-esque play in the loose has led him to be just as important for England as well as Sarries, with 67 caps for his country.

The loosehead made his international bow in 2012 and has since won back-to-back Six Nations titles.

His high-level performances have seen him represent the British & Irish Lions on three tours (Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017, South Africa 2021).

His brother Billy, who has been linked with moves to the Top 14 previously, is also set to be out of contract in 2022.

DID YOU KNOW? Mako’s father and uncle played for Tonga while cousin Taulupe Faletau has been capped by Wales and British & Irish Lions.

The Rugby Paper reported at the start of May that the England and British Lions centre was in talks with Toulon about a switch to the Côte d’Azur this summer.

The deal appeared to be done when last weekend the former Top 14 and European champions announced the signing on their website only to take down the post minutes later.

Reports in Japan suggest the England and Gloucester winger is a top target for an unnamed Japanese club.

The Rugby Paper reports that 30-year-old Cornish raised Matavesi could be allowed to leave the Blue, Black and White for a lucrative move to the Japanese Top League to make room in the club’s salary cap to plug other holes in the squad, namely at hooker.

It's been widely reported that Rockets Tokatsu want to buy the Scotland fly-half out of the last two years of his Racing 92 contract. The Japanese club are ready to make the Lions and Scotland fly-half the highest-paid player in the world with a multiple year contract worth over £1m per season.

The Green Rockets, previously known as NEC, want to sign the playmaker ahead of the Top League being rebranded as Japan Rugby League One in 2022.

Reports in France suggest that the Springbok wing has agreed a deal to leave Toulouse for a French Top 14 rival. According to beIN Sports, Kolbe will leave Toulouse to join Toulon, despite still being contracted until 2023 with the French and European champions.