KEY POINTS:
Northampton have emerged as a dark horse to sign Nick Evans, and the Blues first five is expected to confirm his move offshore possibly even next week.
The 27-year-old, as revealed by the Herald on Sunday, has told the All Black selectors he is likely to leave at
the end of the year.
He has been linked with a number of clubs in France but has made it clear he wants to go to an English-speaking country.
Welsh club Gwent Dragons were in the frame, as were Ulster. Neither, though, is thought to have been the preferred choice of Evans who is believed to be looking now at just three options - Harlequins, Cardiff Blues and Northampton.
Harlequins have enjoyed one of their best seasons in years and have built their success around an exciting crop of English players. They have been quiet in the transfer market since they were relegated in 2005 and De Wet Barry is the only recent overseas star currently in their squad.
If Harlequins can finish in the top six - they are third with two games remaining - they will pick up a Heineken Cup place, which will be a major incentive for Evans to sign.
Cardiff have a strong desire to compete with their fierce rival, the Ospreys. Northampton, though, is perhaps a bigger club with more potential. The Saints have secured promotion to the Premiership, cruising through their National One campaign undefeated.
They have the second-biggest support base behind Leicester, turned over more than £10m (NZ$25.3m) before they were relegated and have an all-star squad that includes Carlos Spencer, Bruce Reihana, Mark Robinson, Paul Tupai and Scottish internationals Sean Lamont, Euan Murray, Barry Stewart and Robbie Kydd.
Although Spencer has just extended his contract with the Saints through to 2010, the former All Black is used across the backline by coach Jim Mallinder and has played mostly as a fullback or centre this season.
Northampton owner Keith Barwell has confirmed that two major signings have been secured to bolster their chances of Premiership success.
When speculation was rife that Martin Johnson might try to lure Mallinder into the England coaching set-up, Barwell told The Daily Telegraph: "Jim's a hero in Northampton. I don't care what it takes - I'll double his salary; do whatever needs to be done.
"We're very ambitious and Jim has two years of a three-year deal left to run. I've got a couple of world-class signings lined up and they may not come if Jim were to go. So, let's get ready for a fight."
With speculation increasing about Evans' future, he's expected to make a decision in the next two weeks, to allow him to concentrate on his remaining time in New Zealand rugby.