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French club fear Kieran Read could turn down $2 million a season deal - report

December 19, 2018
Kieran Read holds aloft the Bledisloe Cup

The French rugby club willing to pay Kieran Read $2 million a season for his talents are reportedly concerned they may miss out on the All Blacks captain, with a move to Japan growing more likely.

French radio station RMC Sport reports Racing 92 fears they will lose out on Read due to the shorter season and less pressure that could await Read if he were to join the likes of former All Blacks great Dan Carter on the Japanese scene.

Read has all but confirmed he will retire from international rugby after next year's Rugby World Cup, leading to plenty of offers from clubs in Europe and elsewhere in an attempt to sign the No.8.

One of the most determined was French club Racing 92 who were seen as frontrunners for Read's signature due to their reported offer of a three-year, $2 million a season deal.

But Read has been given freedom and time to weigh up the deal and RMC Sport reports Read could team up with Carter once again at the Kobe Steelers instead.

French clubs are hoping to counter offers made from other competitions by changing their signing laws to allow one marquee player's contract to sit outside the salary cap, meaning an irrefusable offer could be put on the table to some of the world's top stars to lure them to the Top 14.

Should Racing 92 miss out on Read, it's understood existing players Antonie Claassen and Jordan Joseph will be retained to fill the void.

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