Saracens back-row Alfie Barbeary could be heading for an early exit from the club, just months after arriving from Bath.
The 26-year-old joined the north London outfit on a one-year contract after helping Bath win the 2025 Premiership title.
However, his future at the club is already in doubt, with a return to the West Country reportedly on the cards when his deal expires next summer.
According to Mail Sport, Barbeary has a break clause in his contract and is attracting interest from Bristol Bears.
Pat Lam's side are weighing up their options in the back row, with Fiji international Mata approaching the end of his contract.
The former Edinburgh forward is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is not expected to return until the new year.
Barbeary started playing rugby at the age of eight before progressing through the Wasps academy.
He quickly made his mark in senior rugby, scoring a hat-trick on his first Premiership start against Leicester Tigers in September 2020.
Originally a hooker, he later switched to the back row, where his explosive carrying and physicality have made him a major attacking threat.
Barbeary has represented England at U18 and U20 level and received his first senior squad call-up in November 2020.
Despite featuring for England A, however, he is still waiting for his first senior cap under Steve Borthwick.
Once regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the English game, questions have been raised about his conditioning and off-field discipline, with his talent rarely in doubt.
Meanwhile, Mail Sport reports that Saracens could also lose Argentina internationals Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti this summer.
Clashes with Argentina's international schedule are understood to be a significant obstacle in negotiations over new contracts.
Bath back-row Josh Bayliss has been mooted as a potential replacement for Gonzalez, although the Scotland international is keen to remain at The Rec.
