Leicester Tigers are looking to bring Jimmy Stevens back to the club in the summer to fill the void left by Harry Thacker.
Championship leaders Bristol have signed nine players ahead of next season, including the Tigers hooker and former New Zealand prop John Afoa from Gloucester.
There have long been rumours from the West Country about the signing of Thacker, who can also feature as a flanker, and those have now been firmed up by the club.
As a result, Rugby Inside Line has suggested that the Nottingham hooker could return to Welford Road to provide back-up to Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Youngs and George McGuigan.