Ross Moriarty is close to signing for the Ospreys as they attempt to assemble a squad good enough to rekindle their glory days.
The Swansea-based outfit lead the way in the race for the Wales star and look set to fend off interest from the English Premiership and France.
Ospreys chairman Rob Davies is determined to put them back at the forefront of Guinness PRO14 and European rugby after a trophy drought of more than seven years.
They have drawn up a wish-list of targets, with Moriarty at the top as his Dragons contract comes to an end in the summer.
He is in his second season in Gwent but, because of Wales calls, injury and illness, has only appeared 10 times for them in total and is yet to make a single appearance this campaign.
His salary is purported to be £450,000 a year in an independently financed deal, which worked out at £45,000 per match last term.
Moriarty is expected to move on as it's unclear if the Dragons have offered him any sort of extension due to the glut of back row talent they possess in the likes of Aaron Wainwright, Ollie Griffiths and Taine Basham.
He has been linked with a move to Gallagher Premiership big guns Exeter Chiefs, while there’s also alleged interest from teams in France.
If he were to sign for the Ospreys and be placed on Welsh rugby's new banding system, it's unclear exactly how much he would be paid, although there are suggestions he faces a pay cut from his current deal that was signed prior to the pay restructure. You can read more about the bandings here.
While he is likely to be offered a better salary in England or France, he would no longer be eligible to play for Wales and would therefore miss out on the lucrative appearance and bonus fees available to Wales internationals.
The 25-year-old earned about £151,000 in game fees, images-rights and win bonuses from the Welsh Rugby Union after being in the Wales match-day 23 on eight occasions during the latest financial year.
However, Wales selection is dependent on form, being injury-free and new coach Wayne Pivac picking him, so there are no guarantees going forward.
Whether Moriarty would be prepared to give up the biggest stage of all, Test rugby, its huge crowds and added adulation, for club rugby only is something he must consider.
Ospreys believe they can give him the best of both worlds and are confident they are close to luring him to his home region with an agreement believed to be in the offing.
