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The president of French side Toulon, Mourad Boudjellal, said a move to bring Jonny Wilkinson to the south of France was unlikely due to the former England star's European aspirations.
Boudjellal confirmed yesterday that contact had been made with Wilkinson's father but denied the club, which already has Sonny Bill Williams and Tana Umaga, was the favourite for his signature.
"We are in contact, just like Bayonne and Perpignan," Boudjellal said. "But contrary to what has been said, we are not the favourites because Jonny Wilkinson has European aspirations that we cannot offer him."
Sitting 10th in the Top 14 table, Toulon cannot secure a place in next season's European Cup.
Boudjellal was also quick to quash rumours linking French international star Sebastien Chabal with a move to the club.
"For me, the case is closed," he said. "I'm not in contact with him any more and he'll play for Racing Metro next season."
However, the second row forward, who plays for English side Sale, said this week that he would not reveal the identity of his next club until the end of the Six Nations championship.
Boudjellal also revealed that two or three other players had already agreed deals with Toulon but that their names would not be revealed until the club had guaranteed its top-flight status.
Wilkinson is also not giving anything away, although latest speculation suggests he will stay with Newcastle and shun the 1.5 million ($4.2 million) offer apparently made to him by French club Racing Metro - who also cannot offer Heineken Cup rugby to Wilkinson, as they are a second division team, albeit with big ambitions.
Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates expects Wilkinson to stay with the Falcons next season after the big-spending Paris side stated their interest in the 2003 World Cup winner when neighbours Stade Francais announced the signing of Wasps' England pair James Haskell and Tom Palmer.
Wilkinson has been out of action for more than five months with injury but speculation is strengthening that the England first-five has no appetite for a shift to France and certainly not to any club not offering Heineken Cup rugby. Agencies
