England international fly-half Freddie Burns is set to make a decision on his future this week.
The 29-year-old returned to Bath Rugby, where he started his career in the Academy, in 2017 but has struggled for game-time this season after falling behind Rhys Priestland in the pecking order at The Rec under Hooper’s reign.
According to The Rugby Paper, he is set to reject offers from Newcastle Falcons and Wasps in favour of a move abroad.
TRANSFER RUMOUR: Bath fly half Freddie Burns has been rumoured to have been linked with Premiership rival Wasps by two sources.
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) January 12, 2020
This is after fly half Billy Searle announced he would be going Worcester Warriors earlier this week. pic.twitter.com/8bnhs4MVqu
Burns, has five caps for England but has not worn the Red Rose since 2014, is now choosing between Lyon in France and a number of Japanese clubs.
According to RUCK sources, a move to the Top14 is most likely at this stage.
Burns would not be the first man to swap Bath for Lyon, with backrower Carl Ferns making the same move in 2015 and flourishing in France where he still plays now.
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The Bath-born play maker came through the the Blue, Black and Whites academy before moving to Gloucester where he progressed through to play more than a hundred senior games for the Cherry and Whites.
In 2014 the former Beecham Cliff pupil joined Leicester Tigers, spending three seasons at Welford Road before returning to his home town club as part of a deal which saw England fly-half George Ford go the other way.
Bath Rugby transfers: 4 realistic replacements for Rhys Webb
Bath are set to lose two scrum-halves in the summer with Rhys Webb joining the Ospreys and Will Chudley set to be a free agent.
Webb was only ever join on a short-term deal having already agreed on a move to the Welsh Region, moving to the Rec after his deal at Toulon was terminated.
Meanwhile, Chudley has started eight Premiership games this season with another three appearances off the bench as he and Chris Cook have competed for the nine jersey for most of the 2019/20 campaign.
Here are four possible signings they could make:
1. Ben Spencer
The Saracens and England playmaker has been heavily linked with a move to the Rec, and certain reports suggest he’s already signed a three-year contract. However, two months on we’ve still had no confirmation, meaning we’ve had a look at some other options available to Bath boss Stuart Hooper.