Owen Farrell stalemate leads to ‘growing frustrations’ at Racing 92 as Saracens reluctant to meet French side’s demands

Owen Farrell’s proposed return to Saracens hangs in the balance with Racing 92 and Saracens currently in a stalemate over the compensation fee.

The former England captain has been linked with a move back to London after struggling to adapt to life in the Top 14, with the physical demands of the league thought to be a factor in his desire to head home.

Racing will not stand in his way to re-sign for Sarries, but it has been reported that the clubs are currently at an impasse over the fee the English outfit should pay their French counterparts.

Racing’s frustration

According to RugbyPass, the clubs will now make a ‘last-ditch attempt’ to resolve the issue and ‘break the deadlock’.

The Jacky Lorenzetti-owned Frenchmen have reportedly been ‘growing frustrated’ at the inability to get the deal over the line, with Farrell making his intentions ‘clear’ that his wish is to head back across the Channel.

It is claimed that Racing want €250,000 – half of what the Parisians paid Saracens to buy him out of his contract last year – but the Premiership outfit are only willing to go to €200,000 (£177,000).

The Top 14 side have been looking for a replacement for Farrell and had set their sights on Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor, but it looks like he has settled on a switch to Premiership finalists Leicester Tigers.

That means they could turn their attentions to Paddy Jackson, the controversial ex-Ireland fly-half who has played for Perpignan, London Irish and most recently Lyon after having his Ulster and IRFU contract revoked following rape allegations.

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Farrell’s career and contract

RugbyPass state that the fee is the biggest stumbling block in Farrell’s signature, with personal terms unlikely to be an issue.

That is despite the playmaker likely needing to take a pay cut by returning to Saracens. The pivot took a reduced salary in leaving the Londoners for Racing and he will need to do so again if he is to head back to his first club.

Farrell came through the ranks at Saracens and made his professional debut for the team in 2008 at the age of 17, quickly establishing himself as a key player at the club.

Just under four years later, the fly-half, who can also play at centre, made his international bow and earned over a century of caps for England before taking a step back from Test rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A few months after the global tournament, Farrell departed for Racing on a two-year deal with an option of a third, but his stint in Paris could end after just one season.

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