In the relentless pursuit of securing the talents of England and Saracens rugby star Owen Farrell, Racing 92 finds itself confronted with the significant hurdle of a substantial transfer fee.
Whispers circulating in France hint at the prospect of a reunion between Farrell and former England head coach Stuart Lancaster at Racing.
The potential sale of Farrell is seen as a strategic move to facilitate the re-signing of Maro Itoje with the rugby club. New regulations stipulate that, starting next season, clubs can only have one marquee player. With Itoje and Farrell being the highest earners at the club, adhering to the salary cap necessitates parting ways with one of them. A previous breach of these rules led to their relegation to the Championship.
While Racing 92 has neither confirmed nor denied any deal in an official statement, the club has acknowledged its keen interest in Farrell and the occurrence of ongoing discussions.
The Rugby Paper reports that Saracens has set a €600,000 (£515,000) price tag for the services of England’s World Cup captain, Owen Farrell, as a prerequisite for his potential move to Racing 92. Sources now indicate that a fee in the ballpark of £450,000 has been agreed upon.
Despite the agreed transfer fee and Farrell’s keen interest in the move, it is crucial to emphasise that there is still a considerable amount of negotiation to be undertaken before a contract is officially signed.
UPDATE: The Telegraph have revealed that following Saracens accepting the transfer offer, Farrell has agreed a three year deal with the Parisians.
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The looming Six Nations tournament will proceed without the presence of Farrell, a prominent figure in the rugby world, who has opted for a hiatus from England duties. This break is aimed at prioritizing not only his own mental well-being but also that of his family. This decision follows a challenging experience during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where Farrell endured a barrage of booing from spectators before, during, and after matches.
In response to these challenges, the England captain has chosen to take a step back temporarily.
Billy Vunipola transfer latest:
The formidable No 8 is at a crossroads, deliberating between staying with Saracens or embarking on a lucrative venture in the Far East.
Previously associated with the Tokyo-based team in Japan’s burgeoning League One, the 31-year-old opted to extend his contract with the Premiership champions.
However, following a limited role in the recent World Cup, the once stalwart of the England pack finds himself reassessing his career trajectory.
Sources from Mail Sport reveal ongoing discussions with Sungoliath, while Saracens have also extended a new contract offer.
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List of Owen Farrell replacements:
Concurrently, Saracens is exploring available options to fill the void left by Farrell in the event that the transfer materialises.
#1. Damian Willemse
In his usual fullback role, he showcases exceptional skills, yet his versatility extends to playing as a fly-half, winger, or inside centre.
Having initially joined Saracens on a brief stint in 2019, the playmaker missed the opportunity to leave a lasting mark when called up by South Africa as a replacement for the injured Jesse Kriel during the Rugby World Cup pool stage.
Since then, he has evolved into a formidable player, making him an excellent addition to the Saracens squad.