‘A million different things’ are preventing a quick resolution to the Alun Wyn Jones contract saga, with a breakthrough so far proving tantalisingly out of reach in the fight to keep the Wales captain at home.
The Ospreys remain quietly hopeful they can retain their talismanic lock, while Warren Gatland has said he’s “100 percent convinced” Jones is going nowhere.
But all concerned have as yet been unable to get a deal over the line and earlier this month Bristol, backed by the wealthiest owner in the English Premiership in Steve Lansdown — worth £1.72 billion — were linked with the 33-year-old.
WalesOnline understands the odds remain on Jones staying in Wales.
But a number of factors have combined to make his situation a hugely complicated one, not least over how any deal should be funded or what form it should take.
“There are a million different things at play,” said a source.
“Just a few months ago the Ospreys were in potential merger talks.
“They have since reshaped their board and these things can take time to settle.
“Wales will also have a new coaching team after the World Cup, dual contracts have ended and then there are the unique circumstances surrounding Alun Wyn.
“He is a great player who still has a lot of offer on all fronts, but there’s a widespread acceptance that to ensure his continued longevity as a player some kind of personalised playing and training arrangements will need to be set in place.”
The thorny question remains how any package over Jones is funded.
As a Test Lion with towering status in the game, he would potentially be among the biggest earners in Welsh rugby, with the top pay band this side of the Severn Bridge being £450,000 or so a year, but he played just 10 games for the Ospreys last season.
With dual contracts ending, if the Liberty Stadium region were to pick up the full tab for his pay they would be under no obligation to ration out his matches to help the national side.
But there appeared to be an acknowledgment at the Ospreys last term that he benefited from a specially arranged regime, and in an ideal world something similar would be put in place for next season and beyond.
Would that mean the Welsh Rugby Union making a special case of Jones and helping out? Or would that be deemed unfair by the other regions?
Or might Jones be paid via a deal that recognises any customised input at regional level?
Whatever, talks are continuing.
"Talk of him going to France or England is just speculation," said Gatland recently.
"There's no doubt in my mind. He's not going anywhere, I'm 100 per cent convinced of that.
"It's just paper talk at the moment. He's not going anywhere."
Watch this space.
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