Lion linked with French move

James Hook could be on his way to France, according to Perpignan president Paul Goze. [more]

Lion linked with French move

James Hook could be on his way to France, according to Perpignan president Paul Goze.

Hook has been heavily linked with the Catalans giants since last year and those links intensified after he lost his fly-half spot at the Ospreys to Dan Biggar.

Goze has now stated that talks with the 2009 Lion are at a ‘very advanced stage’, suggesting that Hook could be leaving Wales this summer.

Perpignan had been chasing New Zealand star Dan Carter, who played for the club in the 2008/09 season, but, with that move set to fall through, Goze has turned his attentions towards the versatile Hook.

"It looks like Carter will be kept by the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of the 2011-12 season," Goze told L'independent, who have reported that Perpignan are ready to offer Hook a three-year contract worth close to £1m.

"Nothing has been signed with Hook or any other player and no one is allowed to sign a pre-contract until February 1, but the talks with Hook are at a very advanced stage."

Hook, who was a pre-tour call up for the Lions following injury to Tom Shanklin, is out of contract at the Ospreys at the end of the current season.

The Wales star spent most of last term playing in the centres for both club and country, rarely featuring at fly-half and also starting the autumn internationals at full back.

The player himself has made it clear that No10 is his preferred position, although he hasn’t publicly spoken of any desire to leave the Ospreys.

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