Reports from France indicate Clermont is not 100% certain the big Fijian is heading its way and New Zealand Rugby has become involved.
Naholo, who turned 24 last week, surprised many by signing with Clermont even before his career had started at the Highlanders.
It emerged after the first game the big winger had signed with the French powerhouse club for two years and would be lost to New Zealand at a relatively young age.
But he now appears to be trying to get out of his French deal.
News from France is Clermont sporting director Jean-Marc Lhermet is saying the New Zealand union is applying pressure on the club to release Naholo from his contract.
''As it stands, we have a contract of two years with an option that has been signed by the player,'' Lhermet told La Montagne, according to the Planet Rugby website.
''It's true that his agent reassured us initially when there were noises about the NZRU wanting to keep him.
"Now, his performances in Super rugby are remarkable and we are under an increasing amount of pressure from the NZRU. And when the All Black machine gets going, it becomes complicated.
''If the question is `Are his chances of playing at Clermont 100%?' then the answer isn't yes.''
Naholo has been a stand-out for the Highlanders on the right wing, sitting at the top of the try-scoring table, with eight, for the whole competition.
He is equal top line-breaker and is third for the number of defenders beaten and third for metres gained.
General manager Roger Clark said Naholo wanted to stay with the Highlanders and the franchise wanted him to stay.
But the issue was strictly between Naholo and the French club, Clark said.
New Zealand Rugby does not comment on individual player contracts.
It is believed the Highlanders tried to increase their offer when they heard Clermont was sniffing around but Clermont came back to the table with a better offer and Naholo signed the deal.
It may have been early to sign but Naholo had no way of knowing his season was going to materialise the way it has.
He was not even the first-choice winger at the start of the season. Incumbent Richard Buckman was in his way but got injured, and Naholo has taken every chance on offer.
Naholo knows an All Black jersey is hard to turn down. He might have signed the Clermont contract but teams do not often want players who do not wish to be there.
