Irish rugby has been delivered a serious shock this morning as reports in France say Bundee Aki is the leading transfer target for Top 14 giants Toulon.
The news was first reported by Rugbyrama.fr, the website of French rugby periodical Midi Olympique.
The report says that Aki could be open to 'new challenges' and it claims the club have spoken to Aki over video call as part of the recruitment process.
The report describes him as Toulon's top transfer target for next year.
Aki's central contract with the IRFU ends at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Based on Ireland's regulations with capping domestic-based players, the move, if it came to pass, would effectively end Aki's Ireland career.
Bundee Aki's next step
The 34-year-old has won 57 caps for Ireland in the seven years since he made his international debut.
Aki had been linked with a move to Munster before the 2023 World Cup, but he played some of the best rugby of his career in that tournament and was one of the best players in the competition.
He also received his Irish citizenship earlier this year.
Aki joined Pat Lam's Connacht a decade ago and lead them to their only league silverware back in 2016.
While Toulon might have moved on from their galacticos phase they are still a team with a huge payroll. Their international players include Dan Biggar, Kyle Sinckler and Leicester Fainga'anaku.
Former Munster player Antoine Frisch also joined Toulon before this season.
A number of Ireland players have been linked with a move to France in the past number of months. One report last summer linked to Tadhg Furlong with a move to Bayonne. Another last weekend claimed Ross Byrne could be on the verge of a move to Montpellier.
However, Aki's potential transfer would a big blow both for Connacht and Ireland, given Aki's consistent brilliance in both jerseys over the years.
Update: the Irish Independent have reported that Ali's contract actually expires in 2026, which means that any move would likely involve an added transfer fee.
