Lyon put marker down for Itoje
1800711380
ON THE BLINDSIDE
Lyon have emerged as a potential shock destination for England and Lions lock Maro Itoje, but he will have to drop his demands for a £1m a season pay packet.
Blindside exclusively revealed in October that Itoje would have to take as much as a 50 per cent cut in his £800,000 a season wages if he wants to remain at Saracens when his contract runs out this summer.
Lyon are now looking for a big-name lock after Romain Taofifenua, whose father Willyly had a spell with Harlequins, announced he will be leaving at the end of the season.
The 2022 French Gland Slam winner is tipped to move to Racing 92, who also looked at Itoje, while Toulon are another French club who have weighed up a move for the Saracens man.
Lyon are believed to have only budgeted £570,000 for a replacement, and Itoje will be able to earn that staying with Saracens on £400,000, with the RFU adding £150,000 to the pot with their hybrid contracts.
He could also miss out on a potential Lions call-up in 2025 as they only select players who are playing international rugby, and a move to France would make him ineligible for Steve Borthwick's squad.
