The Ospreys have made their move to hold on to scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i who is on the shopping list of several European clubs.
Numerous clubs in France and England are trying to lure the 30-year-old away from the Welsh region after his outstanding performances against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup and for Samoa during their recent end-of-year tour to Europe.
Sources in France suggest that close to half of the Top 14 clubs are interested in the former Crusader's services.
Fotuali'i' is out of contract at the end of the season but the Ospreys are not prepared to let him go without a fight.
They are believed to have made the Auckland-born player an offer, though chief operations officer Andrew Hore would only admit that they are keen to re-sign him.
"Kahn is someone we'd like to keep," Hore told the South Wales Evening Post.
"He has shown his quality all season, not just for the Ospreys but also for Samoa in their autumn Tests. He has been exceptional almost every time he has taken the field.
"We want to build on our squad, not see it weakened, so it would be great if Kahn opted to stay.
"The ball is in his court in that respect. He has been good for us, and we think we have been good for him.
"He is settled here, has a lot of friends and is thought highly of by everyone at the Ospreys, including our supporters, who know a class player when they see one."
Comments
makemehappy says...
Not many world class players at the Ospreys, so very much needs to be kept!
Posted 11:31 24th December 2012
jimbosim says...
Let him go, Rhys Webb is a very good player who is waiting for some consistency in playing. As always better for the Welsh players if the foreigners go?
Posted 17:13 23rd December 2012
newsong says...
Kahn should sign for a team that commonly wins, this will develop and maintain his form . The team should also agree to release him without hesitation for his international duties for the Manu Samoa. Last but not least he needs a very high salary to help balance off the money he loses when playing for lowly paid Manu Samoa . What ever club fills these three requirements is his perfect team.
Posted 01:28 23rd December 2012
Scan says...
''Numerous clubs in France and ENGLAND are trying to lure the 30-year-old away from the Welsh region''
Ha! Good one! Premiership teams competing with French clubs for world class siginings!
That would be a brilliant move sideways for Fotuali'i's career!
Posted 22:54 22nd December 2012