Maxime Mermoz (centre, Toulon) close to join Leicester

[chewbacca]

I reckon he has signed but needs one more opportunity to pick up a season ending injury before pulling on a tigers shirt

[kelmat]

Perhaps not??????? Martin Gillingham has tweeted this today;-

Immediate move of @MaximeMermoz1 from @RCTofficiel to @LeicesterTigers taken a bit of a twist. France centre is in Toulon squad for Saturday

Why does this seem to be an echo of recent attempts to sign Top players? Gazumping seems to have taken over negotiations big time, love to know exactly what the wage bill is for some of these clubs!

I will be very surprised if he now comes, it seems as if someone has upped the anti on his wages and we cannot compete.

The close season is going to be very, very interesting!

[RagingBull]

I would be surpised if he doesn't come really.

[mol2]

Sounds sensible. Was rumoured to have been a target in the past few seasons. So, sacking Cockers has freed up enough cash to bring in a medical joker from his new club.

I suspect sacking Cockers will have cost more than it saved by the time the severance package has been sorted.

[jgriffin]

Sounds sensible. Was rumoured to have been a target in the past few seasons. So, sacking Cockers has freed up enough cash to bring in a medical joker from his new club.

I suspect sacking Cockers will have cost more than it saved by the time the severance package has been sorted.

Sacking Cockers will not have freed up any cash - he could expect some salary in lieu plus a severance, depending on his lawyers, and money would have to be set aside. Regardless, the parameters for players are set by the cap and the dispensations, which unless you are a certain team or two, are genuine barriers.

[Grimlish]

What am I missing? Mermoz is A target and some here are saying we have been gazumped (again), perhaps in the sense that his agent has increased the asking price/salary (I'm not hearing of interest from other clubs). Tigers have confirmed their interest but not the level of that interest. Mermoz is named in the 23 for their game Vs Sarries this w/e. He has been out of contention for a while, hence his availability, but his interest in Tigers has diminished now there's a new coach at his current club (who has previously expressed admiration for him) and he looks likely to get some game time.

So in what sense have we been gazumped? Why do we need a conspiracy theory to make sense of this scenario? Are other people better informed or is it just a question of an idea getting into the wild of people's imagination?

I'll be happy if we get his signature but I aint holding my breath.

[kornboy130]

Perhaps not??????? Martin Gillingham has tweeted this today;-

Immediate move of @MaximeMermoz1 from @RCTofficiel to @LeicesterTigers taken a bit of a twist. France centre is in Toulon squad for Saturday

Why does this seem to be an echo of recent attempts to sign Top players? Gazumping seems to have taken over negotiations big time, love to know exactly what the wage bill is for some of these clubs!

I will be very surprised if he now comes, it seems as if someone has upped the anti on his wages and we cannot compete.

The close season is going to be very, very interesting!

Various sources have said he arrives first February - so until the he's their player. May as well play him if they have need until he's off.

[Noddy555]

There is a rumour circulating which I have yet to have confirmed that Mermoz has
signed and he will be at Welford Road on Saturday but not in a playing capacity as
the tie with Glasgow as we know is a European Champ cup fixture and the rules say that anyone registered as a player cannot play for another club in the same season
in European fixtures with the possible exception of the final. So let's wait and see.

[wormus]

There is a rumour circulating which I have yet to have confirmed that Mermoz has
signed and he will be at Welford Road on Saturday but not in a playing capacity as
the tie with Glasgow as we know is a European Champ cup fixture and the rules say that anyone registered as a player cannot play for another club in the same season
in European fixtures with the possible exception of the final. So let's wait and see.

Is this another of the "Try Line Club Tales" as Mermoz is apparently in the Toulon 23 playing at Saracens kick off @ 15:15, whereas our game is 17:30 KO. Having played, showered etc Mermoz would not make Welford Road either on a Noddy Bike or in Noddy's car, but if you are confident then save him a few prawn french bread batons.
We would not need him registered in this years Euro squad as we are already out!!

[Hot_Charlie]

Has he been named in the RCT 23? All I can see so far is a 28 man squad for Saturday?

[Coops]

Martin Gillingham on Twitter:

Another twist in @MaximeMermoz1 affair: he'll switch to @LeicesterTigers but only for rest of season. Has agreed 3yr deal with @racing92

[strawclearer]

All rather underwhelming really.

Sad that we can't rely on our existing resources but the likes of Toomua and Tuilagi are not easily replaced. If a short term 'cover' contract helps us to finish top 6...or top 4...or as champions (never give up!), then so be it!

Ho hum...

[Hot_Charlie]

Martin Gillingham on Twitter:

Another twist in @MaximeMermoz1 affair: he'll switch to @LeicesterTigers but only for rest of season. Has agreed 3yr deal with @racing92

So essentially the "leak" by he management company on Sunday was a way to get a better offer out of the Top14? Racing after a replacement for Goosen I presume.

[jgriffin]

Exactly what I thought would happen, gazumped. And exactly what a former DOR was mentioning in his last months at WR. Money is no object for some clubs/regions. I also suspect that current financial instability would lead some to steer clear of depreciating salaries or be paid in $ or elsewhere!
Nevertheless, it is not the end of the world - depends on what the club intends to do from May onwards, as there is likely to be a clearout/clearoff whatever transpires.

[Iain]

Exactly what I thought would happen, gazumped. And exactly what a former DOR was mentioning in his last months at WR. Money is no object for some clubs/regions. I also suspect that current financial instability would lead some to steer clear of depreciating salaries or be paid in $ or elsewhere!
Nevertheless, it is not the end of the world - depends on what the club intends to do from May onwards, as there is likely to be a clearout/clearoff whatever transpires.

If this is what has happened and we have been gazumped, it's annoying because the club can pretty much do nothing about that.

Yet let us sit back and wait for those that tell us it is their fault.