KEY POINTS:
So now the gloves are off - the sharks can move in. Or in the case of Luke McAlister, the Sharks can up their offer and increase their efforts to persuade the former All Black to stay with the Manchester club.
January 1 is a gate opener in Europe - it is the date from which rival clubs can begin talking to all players coming off contract in the calendar year.
That creates tension in the market and normally results in clubs diving behind the sofa to find all the loose change they have to snare a big name for next season.
And there are a few big names who will find themselves very much the centre of attention in the coming months. No one will be more in demand than McAlister, who is coming off contract with Sale in June and who is already been named as a target by several European clubs.
In his 18 months in the UK, McAlister has won a legion of admirers. He is already favourite to win Player of the Year and his ability to play across the midfield, kick goals and beat defenders is a priceless commodity in both the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup.
Sale have made McAlister an offer to extend his contract and were hoping he would have signed before the January 1 deadline.
That hasn't happened because even though the deadline has only just passed, Toulon intimated last month they would be keen to sign McAlister - for a reported figure of $1.5 million per year. It is believed that Clermont and Biarritz might also launch bids and while Sale are understood to be offering close to 300,000 pounds ($753,000) a season, the money in France is significantly higher.
Sharks head coach Kingsley Jones, who has been in discussions with McAlister's dad and agent Charlie, told the Stockport Express: "I believe Luke really wants to stay here with Sale Sharks.
"He is very happy at the moment, it's just whether we can compete with French clubs. At the moment we've got to operate at 4m pounds ($10m) [salary cap], while one French club is rumoured to have a player budget of 20 million euros, that is nearly 20m pounds ($50m) nowadays.
"Luke wants to be here for the right reasons, rugby and everything else, but he has to look after his future. If the figures being banded round are true then it's going to be very difficult to compete with that and have a squad of 30 players."
The New Zealand Rugby Union will also come into the picture as McAlister has said his desire to come home is strong. The NZRU will not get anywhere near the cash offers of Sale or Toulon, but they do have a potential trump card - the All Black jersey and a potential place in the 2011 World Cup squad.
Carl Hayman is another who will be treated as fair game despite having another 18 months on his Newcastle contract. The club is struggling financially and are likely to agree to an early release as Hayman is unhappy at the club and is also, at 330,000 pounds a year ($828,000), one of their highest earners.
The NZRU are the lead contender to sign Hayman as the former All Black tight-head's agents have said their client is missing New Zealand and the lifestyle it affords.
The Hurricanes have made a tentative approach as Hayman is thought to be keen on basing himself in Taranaki, where he grew up.
The NZRU might also inquire about Sam Tuitupou to check his interest about a return. Rumour has been rife for some time that Tuitupou's family haven't settled well in Worcester, although coach Mike Ruddock shot that down a few weeks ago when he spoke to Worcester News. "I've not heard any rumours about Sammy's family wanting to move home. In fact, I've spoken to Sammy about a contract extension and he seemed pretty keen. That is something we'll now start to think about and discuss with him."
