Stuart Lancaster did not want Manu Tuilagi. Leicester Tigers wouldn’t mind hanging onto him. Worcester Warriors really, really want him.
Really.
The Aviva Premiership side are on the hunt for a marquee signing and have reportedly targeted the Tigers, England and Lions centre.
The 24-year-old, who missed the World Cup due to legal issues, is out of contract at the end of the season and, accordingly, is being touted around top English and French sides.
Warriors are ambitious to establish themselves as a top-six side in the Premiership and regularly secure Champions Cup rugby. At present, they are sixth in the league and have lost to the lowly Zebre in the Challenge Cup.
But the relaxation of the Premiership salary cap has seen sides flex their financial muscles and Warriors are said to be preparing a £1.6m three-year deal for Tuilagi. The first year would see him earn £750,000, with the centre earning £450k per year for the final two years.
Were Tuilagi to make the switch to Sixways, he would be the highest earning rugby player in 2016/17, ahead of Dan Carter’s annual €1m (£700,000) with Racing 92.
Warriors are refusing to comment on the speculation but we suspect that news of this offer is only the opening foray from the Tuilagi camp.
