Wales wing George North could be snapped up for a bargain £40,000 if he does not return to Northampton, revealed the Mail Online.
Relations between North and his club have broken down after coach Alan Gaffney accused him of not wanting to play against Sale last week — and the Lions star is furious at the public humiliation.
He is under contract until May, before he moves back to Wales on a National Dual Contract understood to be worth £350,000 a season.
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Warren Gatland opened the door to an immediate return earlier this week and Sportsmail has reported that Saints could subsidise the remainder of North’s wages if he pushes for an early exit.
On Sunday, against Italy, North will make his first Test start in a year, having missed the autumn and Lions series through injury.