The Scarlets have emerged as the leading contenders to sign Wales international Ioan Lloyd from Bristol Bears.
Lloyd is out of contract at the end of the season and has a number of admirers but high-ranking sources in the English game have told WalesOnline the Scarlets are the frontrunners for his signature.
The 21-year-old utility back is an outrageously gifted footballer who has long been earmarked for great things. He won two caps for Wales back in 2020.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam has previously said Lloyd's long-term position lies at outside-half but the prodigiously gifted youngster has predominantly been used in the back-three, while he has also played inside centre.
Lam is a huge fan of Lloyd and believes he is a potential "world-class" player who could star for Wales at Test level in the future. But it has been three years since Lloyd won the last of his two Wales caps against Italy at Parc y Scarlets and while the Welsh Rugby Union have dropped its controversial 60-cap rule to 25 appearances, the former Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf pupil still falls well short of the 25 caps required to represent Warren Gatland's side while plying his trade in England.
This has made a move to Wales likely, with the Scarlets the favourites to secure his services.
Lloyd would be a quality acquisition for any side given his ability to slot in anywhere in the backline, but he is also a magical player with tremendous footwork and a clever passing game who more often than not leaves opposition defenders gasping for air.
Given the free-flowing rugby the Scarlets are playing under head coach Dwayne Peel, a move to west Wales would be a good fit.
For much of this season, a contractual freeze had been in place at all four Welsh regions but it has now been lifted after they signed a new six-year financial framework with the Welsh Rugby Union. If the Scarlets do succeed in landing Lloyd, it would come as a huge boost to the regional game given most players are heading for the exit door.
Earlier on Monday, the Ospreys announced Joe Hawkins will be joining Exeter Chiefs while the likes of Will Rowlands, Jarrod Evans, Max Llewellyn and Dillon Lewis are also leaving Wales.
Over the past few seasons, the Scarlets have put more focus on putting their faith in youth, giving opportunities to the likes of Kemsley Mathias, Joe Roberts, Sam Costelow and Ryan Conbeer. The addition of Lloyd would provide a huge shot in the arm.
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