Cardiff Blues are confident of holding on to Jarrod Evans, with Gloucester having turned their attentions to another international outside-half.
The six-times capped Evans is out of contract at the end of this season and was linked with a move to the Cherry & Whites in a press report over the weekend.
But Gloucester have now announced the signing of Scotland No 10 Adam Hastings, who will join from Glasgow for next season.
That is likely to end their interest in the 24-year-old Evans.
He could yet be a target for other English clubs, as he is one of the most gifted fly-halves in the business with ball in hand.
But Blues sources tell me they believe he will stay on board at the Arms Park.
If he were to head over the bridge, that would make him ineligible for Wales under the WRU’s 60-cap rule.
That would scupper his international ambitions and see him miss out on lucrative Test fees.
Now Evans hasn’t played for Wales since coming on as a replacement against France in the Six Nations back in February and was left out of the autumn squad.
That might potentially make him question whether he has much to gain by staying here.
But it’s understood Wales coach Wayne Pivac does still see him as part of his future plans.
If Evans were to remain with the Blues, it would be a major boost, as there are few more dangerous attacking 10s in European rugby, with his ability to break the line, step his way through defences and put team-mates into space.
Having come up through the mini and junior ranks of Pontyclun and Pontypridd, he has gone on to make 84 appearances for the region, racking up 453 points, including 16 in last weekend’s Challenge Cup victory away to Newcastle.
Next up for him and the Blues is a European meeting with Stade Francais at Rodney Parade this Sunday.
As for the 22-cap Hastings, he said: "I’m really looking forward to linking up with Gloucester next season and eager to play my part in a bright future for the club.
“There’s still plenty more rugby ahead of me this season, but when the time comes, I look forward to pulling on the Cherry & White.”
Meanwhile, fellow fly-half Danny Cipriani has left Gloucester with immediate effect.
