Rugby: French club willing to splash out for Carter

According to the <i>Times</i>, Racing Metro are willing to make Carter "rugby's first 1 million man". Photo / Getty Images

If Racing Metro hire Daniel Carter for a record $2 million next year, former rival five-eighths Ronan O'Gara will supervise his work with the French club.

The Top 14 side want a billboard signing to replace Jonathan Sexton and the Times has been leading conjecture that Carter will shift to Europe once the World Cup is finished.

Rumour has crowded fact since September when the club's real estate owner, Jacky Lorenzetti, speculated about Carter shifting to the club.

"If the coaches agree, Dan Carter may be an opportunity to strengthen the club next season," he said.

That comment created a constant noise about such a signing and, while speculation has gathered momentum, the club has refuted any impression linking them with Carter.

Signing Carter would be a coup for Lorenzetti, who has been sparring with Toulon's comic book owner Mourad Boudjellal to sign major names for their ambitious clubs. It would decorate Racing Metro's plans to move to a new 32,000-seat stadium in early 2016.

Carter is off contract next year and according to the Times, Racing are willing to make Carter "rugby's first 1 million man".

They also suggested a deal could be revealed next week.

They have Springbok Johan Goosen in their squad but want someone of Carter's pedigree to replace Sexton, who is to return to play in Ireland.

If the conjecture becomes fact, Carter will work with O'Gara, who is in charge of Racing's backline in the first stage of his coaching ambitions.

Both men played more than 100 tests for their countries but only started three internationals against each other.

Carter has vowed to play from the start of the Crusaders' next campaign in his attempt to make a fourth World Cup. He turns 33 soon after the start of Super Rugby.

He passed a fitness test and played two tests against USA and Scotland on the All Blacks' northern tour but was short of his best form in competition with Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett.

If Carter joins Racing Metro, it will be his second foray into French rugby after his ill-fated move to play for Perpignan during his sabbatical in 2009. He ruptured his Achilles tendon but after a lengthy layoff, returned to play seven tests later that year.

Carter is in a group of senior All Blacks - Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu and Charlie Faumuina - who have not signed on with the NZRU past the end of 2015.