Racing Metro offer Johnny Sexton new four-year deal

Jonathan Sexton has been offered a new four-year contract by Racing Metro that would keep the 29-year-old in Paris until June 2019.

"He has in his hands a contract for four more seasons at Racing," said Racing coach Laurent Labit. "The deal for him is simple. Either he signs and ends his career here or he returns to Ireland."

It has been estimated that the Dubliner is on a current salary of €700,000. In January 2013 the IRFU were unable to match the offer so Sexton's agent Fintan Drury brokered a deal with Racing president Jacky Lorenzetti.

Sexton stated in May 2013 that he never wished to leave Leinster and hoped to return at some stage. However, the situation may have now changed as Lorenzetti has built a squad around the Lions and Ireland outhalf.

Johan Goosen, the 22-year-old Springbok outhalf, has been signed to ensure last season's heavy workload is not placed on Sexton's shoulders as the club aim to win the French championship and new European Champions cup.

Former Munster centre Casey Laulala also joined the club this season, adding to a long list of international calibre players like Welsh quartet Jamie Roberts, Mike Philips, Dan Lydiate and Luke Charteris.

The IRFU counter offer, presuming there is one, will come from director of HR Maurice Dowling, who answers to Tom Grace and the committee.

“We sure hope he will stay, especially since his son was born here, and in 20 years will be the outhalf of the France team,” Labit added with a smile.