Wasps are preparing a sensational £1.4million-a-season offer to lure Australian flanker David Pocock to England as the star considers a sabbatical.
Reports claim that the Coventry-based club are set to eclipse the £1million-a-season offer that New Zealand star Dan Carter currently holds with Racing Metro as Wasps look to register Pocock as a “marquee” player.
The Premiership side have already secured the signature of Danny Cipriani this week as the star returns from Sale on a £300,000-a-year deal and are looking at the possibility of making one of rugby’s most sensational signings with the 27-year-old looking to take a year out of Australian rugby to study at an English university.
However, Australia head coach Michael Cheika is hoping that he can convince his star forward to remain within Australia and is currently in discussions with the ARU to provide a lucrative offer of their own to combat the Wasps’ offer.
As reported by the Evening Standard, Cheika said:
We’re always going to be outgunned by the money over there.
We have to present a combination of finances, as well as what it’s going to be like playing here in Australia and how you’re going to grow as a player and a person. We present all those things to him, or to any player for that matter, and I believe that they would stay.
He’s obviously going to get massive offers overseas because he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s a smart guy and he’ll make the right choice.
Wales centre Jamie Roberts currently holds a special deal with Harlequins as they have granted permission to the Welsh international to study at Cambridge University whilst also representing the Aviva Premiership side and Wasps may consider a similar deal in order to lure Pocock.
