Semi Radradra will likely not be returning to his former club Bordeaux-Begles according to the latest reports coming out of France.
Bristol Bears’ star centre is understood to be out of contract at Ashton Gate at the end of the season having joined the club in 2020 from the French Top 14 side.
The Fijian international is one of Bristol’s two marquee players, along with Charles Piutau, whose wages sit outside of the £5m salary cap in the Gallagher Premiership. and Bordeaux have been strongly linked with making moves to bring Radradra back to the Gironde region, but this week club president Laurent Marti told French newspaper L'Équipe the club have other priorities to strengthen their side ahead of the 2023/24 season having already signed star winger Damian Penaud ahead of next season.
Asked directly about the potential of signing Radradra he did not rule it out entirely, but said: “It's difficult. We want to respect the salary cap. You don't have to put all the talent behind it either. We reflect on the balance of our squad. We must in particular improve our pack of forwards. You can't just sign X factors."
Bordeaux are now reported to be focusing on signing a tighthead prop, lock, and flanker in addition to Japanese international number eight Tevita Tatafu who has reportedly already agreed to join the French side from Suntory Sungoliath after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Radradra has impressed since returning to action for Bristol in December from a second knee surgery, scoring a try on his game of the season.
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