Top 14
Perpignan in talks with Hook - Goze
ESPNscrum Staff
October 5, 2010
Ospreys centre James Hook looks on, Ospreys v Leicester Tigers, Heineken Cup, Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, January 23, 2010
Perpignan have claimed to be in talks with James Hook © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: James Hook
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Teams: France | Ospreys | Perpignan | Wales

Perpignan president Paul Goze has claimed that the Top 14 club are in 'advanced' talks with Wales centre James Hook over a possible move to France next season.

Reports in French newspaper L'independant put Hook at the head of a lengthy queue to fill the problem fly-half position at the Stade Aime Giral.

The player's desire to play at No.10 is well founded despite his recent excellence in the centre for both the Ospreys and Wales but while Goze described the talks as 'advanced' he also admitted that nothing had been signed.

With the Rugby World Cup on the horizon it is unclear whether a move abroad would hamper Hook's international career, which has latterly seen him switched to outside-centre - his fourth position at Test level.

Ospreys coach Sean Holley confirmed last week that the region were in contract talks with the 25-year-old, who made his return from shoulder surgery in last weekend's Magners League win over the Scarlets in Llanelli.

"James is a local boy who has come through the ranks and we want to keep him," Holley told The Guardian. "He is in talks with us at the moment and we are encouraged by that. Predators are out there, but I see no reason why James, if he gets the right offer from us, should not stay.

"He is growing with us. If he wants to challenge for a Wales team spot, Ospreys is the place to do that. He will have time later in his career to go abroad if he wants to."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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