Four of Sale Sharks transfer targets, including Faf de Klerk replacement

Sharks have confirmed they're going all out to sign Leicester and England fly-half George Ford, director of rugby Alex Sanderson has revealed.

The 28-year-old is the Premiership's leading scorer this season with 107 points, helping the Tigers win their first eight games.

He is in a second spell with Leicester, following four years at Bath, but was born not far away from Sale, in Oldham.

Sale have held preliminary talks with Ford and Sanderson said: "I thought it went well."

He continued: "I have no intention of counting chickens before they're hatched. I honestly couldn't tell you what will happen.

"We can only put our best case forward and let the chips fall where they may, but I think we're a club with aspirations, with investment and with good people involved. I think we're a strong runner."

Wantaway Leinster prop Furlong signed a one year extension to stay with the Irish province due to the ongoing pandemic back in June. It looks right now like the farming tighthead will head to Racing 92 or Toulon next summer, but you wouldn't be shocked if he rocked up in the Gallagher Premiership. Sale Sharks were linked with a move for the tighthead-prop last summer, with a deal looking more likely for 2022.

DID YOU KNOW? Furlong comes from a farming family in the parish of Horeswood in County Wexford

Marler’s agent reportedly visited the Sale training ground in 2018 with the Sharks reportedly willing to pay a fee to sign the England loosehead. However, the move collapsed as the two clubs could not agree on the transfer fee. However, if rumours are to be believed, Sale are once again targeting the popular loosehead.

Another Lions out of contract next summer is the Ireland scrum-half. Sharks, who would only have Raffi Quirke on the books if Faf de Klerk, would surely be in the race to sign this box-kicking machine. Murray, who has spent his entire career at Munster, has hinted he could be a greta mentor for the English youngster.

DID YOU KNOW? With his Dad also being called Gerard, Murray was known by his middle name, Conor, from early in his life.