Highlanders captain Ben Smith is believed to have a $2 million dollar offer from a French club sitting in front of him but is not close to making a decision on where he will see out his career.
His Highlanders and All Black team-mate, Malakai Fekitoa, has also been linked to a French club but any decision will not happen quickly.
Smith (30) comes off his contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of next year and that has fuelled interest from overseas clubs.
A player of his class and versatility would be a huge prize to land for an ambitious club in Europe.
French outfit Pau, which already has All Black backs Colin Slade, Tom Taylor and Conrad Smith on its books, is believed to be targeting Smith and has put an offer on the table which would make Smith a wealthy man.
Smith arrived back in New Zealand yesterday from the All Black end-of-year tour and told waiting media he would weigh up contracts and offers before making a decision.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said yesterday the franchise, along with New Zealand Rugby, had been talking to Smith for quite a while and would continue for some time.
New Zealand Rugby would not want to lose Smith and is digging deep to match the offer made by the French outfit.
Clark said when the All Blacks went to Europe, French clubs took the opportunity to meet players and this year was no exception.
Smith may be enticed to head north not only for the money. The travel factor is significantly less in France and he has little left to achieve in the game in New Zealand, having won a World Cup, Rugby Championships and a Super rugby title.
Fekitoa is also off contract with New Zealand Rugby at the end of next year and French newspaper Midi Olympique said he had met Toulon bosses.
No offer was believed to have been made to Fekitoa. The 24-year-old has plenty of unfinished business in New Zealand rugby as he is in a logjam of talent to get a start in the All Black midfield.