Cardiff Blues have set Gareth Anscombe a deadline of early next week to decide on his future, with the Ospreys also vying to sign the Wales fly-half.
The Grand Slam star is out of contract at the Arms Park at the end of this season and has been linked with a number of clubs, including English trio Bristol, Bath and Harlequins.
But Blues coach John Mulvihill says the player will be staying in Wales, which he needs to do in order to continue on the international stage under the WRU 60-cap rule.
So it comes down to a choice between the Arms Park and the Liberty Stadium for the 27-year-old Anscombe.
And the Blues need to know his decision in the next few days so they can finalise plans for next season.
Anscombe had appealed to the PRB over his pay banding, Gareth Anscombe's pay appeal rejected by Welsh rugby bosses as Wales star now faces huge decision
So with his wage level confirmed, he must now make his mind up between the Blues and the Ospreys.
“We will have a decision next week and he will be staying in Wales,” said Mulvihill.
“Who he plays for, it’s up to him.
“I am still hopeful that he will be here. He’s got all his mates he’s plays with, but rugby’s a funny thing and sometimes decisions are made that are nothing to do with rugby.
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“So we’ll just have to wait and see on that.
“But next week we are going to put a deadline on us, so we can move forward if it’s not going our way.
“I know the Ospreys are desperate to have him.
“It will be either blue or black and we will have to see. Maybe he will stay with the blue and black.
“We need to know by the first half of next week.
“I always hope for the best, I am the eternal optimist.
“At the end of the day, no-one is indispensable. If we get bad news, we have to move on and find out what’s best for our programme going forward.”
If Anscombe heads for the Ospreys, the Blues may well use the money saved not just on fly-half back up, but also strengthening their pack, with a lock and a No 8 the priorities.
Gareth Anscombe's pay appeal rejected by Welsh rugby bosses as Wales star now faces huge decision
“There is a contingency plan and we have spoken to a couple of people,” said Mulvihill.
“But we might cast the net even wider if that’s the case because it will free up a bit of our budget as well.”
Anscombe is set to skipper the play-off chasing Blues in Saturday’s crucial PRO14 clash with Connacht out in Galway, with Kristian Dacey and Nick Williams both looking likely to miss out.
“Gareth’s going to be leading us this weekend out in Connacht and he is looking forward to the challenge,” said Mulvihill.
The Blues are set to have fly-half Jarrod Evans and prop Dmitri Arhip back available for the must-win game against play-off rivals Connacht.
