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Sale Sharks may have to pay a £200k transfer fee for England fly-half George Ford
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Wasps are leading the race for Newcastle Falcons winger Marcus Watson
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Scrum-half Nic Strirzaker may be returning to London with Saracens
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Ken Owens and Gareth Anscombe could be set for Premiership moves
Sharks must pay big money just to talk to Ford
Sale Sharks are locked in talks with Premiership rivals Bath in a bid to agree a transfer fee for England fly-half George Ford.
The 23-year-old has reportedly tried to opt out of the final year of his contract.
Bath, nevertheless, are holding out for a fee before agreeing to release him to Sharks, who are at this stage the clear favourites to complete the deal.
According to Neil Fissler’s ‘On The Blindside’, Bath are holding out for around £200,000 before they are going to let him have advanced talks with Sharks.
Sale Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is ready to offer the former Leicester man approximately £600,000 a season for a move back to his native North West.
Wasps leading the race for Rio star Marcus Watson
According to The Rugby Paper Wasps are leading the race to sign Marcus Watson and can make an official approach at the beginning of January.
The Olympic silver-medalist joined the Falcons from England 7s in 2015 and has become somewhat of a fan favourite at Kingston Park.
It is thought that Watson’s possible arrival at the Ricoh Arena could signal that Frank Halai, who is yet to agree a new deal with Wasps, will be leaving the club.
Rebel looking for return to London
Melbourne Rebels captain Nick Stirzaker could be returning to London with Saracens leading the chase for the scrum-half.
The 25-year-old has been playing for the Super Rugby franchise since 2012 and has clocked up 48 appearances. Stirzaker was born in England to South African parents, but was raised in Australia from the age of two.
Northampton and Bath have also been linked to the talented playmaker.
It’s thought that if he joins Sarries then stalwart Richard Wrigglesworth would move on with plenty of interest already from a number of French sides.
Ken Owens & Gareth Anscombe are Premiership-bound
Wales hooker Ken Owens is being linked with a move to Aviva Premiership Worcester Warriors.
The Scarlets skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and speculation suggests Warriors head coach Carl Hogg is keen to lure him away from Wales.
The Welsh region’s negotiations with the 29-year-old had been put on hold during the autumn international series but are set to recommence.
Meanwhile, Owens international compatriot Gareth Anscombe is also attracting interest from Warriors as well as other top Premiership clubs.
The New Zealand-born fullback is currently on a dual deal with the WRU but with that expiring at the end of the current season a number of clubs have already expressed interest.