Australia
French clubs circle Quade Cooper as contract talks stall
ESPN Staff
September 8, 2014
Cooper's contract talks with the ARU have stalled leaving the door open for French clubs © Getty Images
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Quade Cooper has had his contract talks with the ARU put on hold as interest to lure the 26-year-old out of the country intensifies, Fairfax Media reports.

The No.10 injured his left shoulder back in May against Melbourne Rebels, and as a result he has missed four months of football.

Cooper has since had to sit out almost the entire Super Rugby season, the three-Test series against France and the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests, although on a positive note he has been able to undergo additional surgery on his hip to clean up a loose cartilage issue.

Now with the injury lay-off drawing to a close, Cooper's future has become a topic of interest.

Cooper is still arguably the best fly-half in Australia, and French rugby has taken note. It has been reported that French clubs are apparently trying to lure Cooper out of Australia with a hefty pay-packet - something he has turned down in the past. Lyon are reportedly leading the chase, according to Midi Olympique.

In 2012, Cooper rejected an offer from a French club that would have seen him become one of the best-paid players in the world. But with contract negotiations stalling, Cooper, listening to the advice of manager Khoder Nasser, could well be heading to France in 2015.

Cooper is expected to make a decision on his future in the next fortnight.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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