Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has reportedly been made an offer to play Top League rugby in Japan.
The 35-year-old lock is out of contract this summer with his region the Ospreys saying only this week his future would be sorted out after the Six Nations.
But Welsh rugby could face a fight to keep its most celebrated player.
The Rugby Paper report that there is been an offer for him to join the Top League, a competition where the financial rewards can be eye-wateringly high, with Beauden Barrett said to be earning more than £1.5 million over two seasons.
The Welsh Rugby Union are embroiled in negotiations with Jones’ representatives over a new deal but it’s unlikely they could compete in financial terms with that kind of money.
Even so, Jones values his Test career hugely and playing to a customised regime in Wales in recent seasons has helped him break the world cap record and remain on course for a Lions place this summer.
His longer-term target might be to play at the World Cup in France in 2023.
Doubtless, he will decide to factor into any decision on his future which is the best means of prolonging his Test career.
All will become clearer in the coming months, with Jones’ employers having to decide how long any new arrangement should extend for. A deal that covers the next global tournament would offer a significant incentive for him to stick around in these parts.
Jones would be 38-years-old during the World Cup in France in two years’ time, although South African legend Victor Matfield played in the tournament at that age.
The certainty is the WRU and the Ospreys will want him to stay, with the 155-cap forward receiving plaudits for his leadership and play this season.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said at the region’s weekly press call they and the WRU would be speaking to Jones in the coming weeks. "It's something we're delighted to entertain with Al. He wants to get the Six Nations out of the way," said Booth.
"I'm sure those conversations are being had centrally with Wales, and we're inputting into that but we'll see where those conversations go after the Six Nations."
However, it remains to be seen whether the reported interest in Wales' skipper from Japan could throw a spanner in the works.
