Owen Farrell’s return to Saracens in doubt due to curveball from Racing 92 – report
Racing 92 fly-half Owen Farrell.
Owen Farrell’s rumoured return to Saracens from Racing 92 as a player-coach could be scuppered as the Top 14 outfit are believed to be demanding a huge transfer fee.
According to a report in The Telegraph, Saracens were initially keen for the former England playmaker and captain to return to them in 2026 as a player-coach after he joined Racing at the start of this season on a two-year deal.
However, the newspaper revealed earlier this week that Farrell is eager to speed up his return to England at the end of the current campaign.
Keen to make coaching transition earlier
The 33-year-old is believed to want to make his coaching transition earlier due to concerns over the impact which the taxing demands of the Top 14 season are having on his body.
Sarries are set to part ways with experienced backline coach Kevin Sorrell at the end of this season, which means there will be a possible vacancy for Farrell on the North London club’s coaching staff, while he will also be able to continue to play for the club who he represented between 2008 and 2024.
It is understood that several Premiership clubs have contacted Racing about acquiring Farrell’s services, including the likes of Gloucester and Leicester Tigers, but there is still uncertainty over a possible return to Saracens.
Racing were reportedly able to receive a huge transfer fee when Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi returned to South African URC outfit the Sharks after just one season with the Parisian outfit.
Mark McCall breaks silence on the rumour that Owen Farrell is rejoining Saracens this summer
Huge transfer fee demanded by Racing 92
Farrell’s situation is a different story, however, as no Premiership club is likely to want to fork out the €500,000 (£420,000) transfer fee which Racing are reportedly demanding for his early exit, due to his age and injury record.
Gloucester have subsequently recruited Ireland fly-half Ross Byrne from Leinster for the start of next season, while former Wallabies fly-half James O’Connor has been linked with a move to the Tigers.
If Farrell were to return to a Premiership club, it would make him available for England selection again. The Rugby Football Union currently have a rule which prevents players based at overseas-based clubs from representing the Red Rose, unless in exceptional circumstances.
After stepping back from Test rugby due to mental health reasons after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, Farrell opted to leave the Premiership as well, and that brought his England career to an end.
If he does return to England, it’s uncertain whether he would want to make a return to international rugby, but if he makes himself available for selection, it would be a big boost for Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick.
Farrell’s name has also been named as one of the standby players for the British and Irish Lions squad for their upcoming tour to Australia.
