Sale Sharks have emerged as the favourite to sign England winger Jonny May when his contract at Leicester Tigers expires.
According to The Rugby Paper, Steve Diamond has identified the 29-year-old as the perfect replacement for Chris Ashton, who departed the club by mutual consent last month before joining Harlequins.
Leicester wanted May to take a 100k pay cut on his new deal, but Sale are willing to match his current salary of £325,000 per season.
Newcastle Falcons, who had been favourite to sign the winger, have had to pull out of negotiations.
The cancellation of all domestic rugby below Premiership level has left the North East club in a dire position — through no fault of their own.
Without match-day revenue for the rest of the season, as the Championship campaign has been abruptly halted, there is a large dark cloud over Kingston Park, according to the Mail Online.
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5 things you didn't know about Jonny May
His top speed, invitation to North Korean, partner and more...
1. Starting off
He then studied at Hartpury College, where he was a member of Hartpury College R.F.C in a team that included Alex Cuthbert on the opposite wing.
2. Top speed
The speedster clocked 10.71 for the 100 metres with a strong argument to be England’s quickest wide man ever...
3. His partner in crime
May is always cheered on by his stunning wife of two-and-a-half years Sophie Snook, whom he married in July 2017.
Sophie shares her husband's love of keeping fit and staying active and has built a successful career as a personal trainer under the brand @Girlsontopoffitness.
The company's Instagram page features helpful workout tips and inspiring transformation photos of delighted clients.
4. Famous friends
He used to play football with Ed Sheeran when he was a child growing up in Somerset. The singers Godmother was friends with his mother.
5. Jonny May to North Korea?
After discussing the politics in the country, May received a letter from the North Korean government asking him to have a go at putting his ideas into practice.
The winger told the Daily Mail: "There was this letter waiting for me with a wax stamp on it, the full works, saying 'private, confidential."
"It said, 'Hi Jonny. We've seen that you and Ben Te'o are interested in our country and we'd love to arrange a trip up to the embassy for you, to meet all our president's dignitaries, then we can organise a VIP tour to North Korea'.
"I sent the picture to Ben saying, 'What the hell is going on? Is this a wind-up?'. He said, 'No, I've had one too, they're watching us!'.
"That's what's scary, they do watch out like that, they have a Google alert. When anyone is talking about North Korea, it will pop up.
"I haven't been to the embassy. I'm actually worried about it. I didn't write back."
