Wasps deny 'crazy' reports of huge bid for Manu Tuilagi
Wednesday 25 November 2015 15:37, UK
Wasps coach Dai Young has dismissed reports they have offered Leicester's Manu Tuilagi £500,000 a year in wages to join them as "a complete, utter load of rubbish".
Wasps' rugby director insists the club have made no move for Leicester's England centre, whose current contract expires next summer.
Wasps and Worcester were reported to have joined the battle to prise Tuilagi away from Leicester, but former Wales prop Young has steadfastly denied any attempts on the Ricoh Arena-based club's part.
"We are going to be linked with everybody now, that's the issue," said Young, of Wasps' new-found financial security after moving to their Coventry base.
"And I read somewhere that we are in the hunt for Manu and we've offered well over £500,000 for him.
"It's a complete, utter load of rubbish. I don't know where these things come from.
"Manu's an international and if he was leaving Leicester yes, we'd be interested in him, the same as we'd be interested in any other top-line international.
"Are we out there making offers in excess of 500 grand? Absolutely not. It's rubbish. If he was available and leaving Leicester of course we'd be interested in him and probably every other Premiership club would be.
"So it would be silly for me to say we don't rate him, but are we in for him? No we're not. Have we made an offer for him? No we haven't."
Tuilagi would become the highest-paid player in Aviva Premiership history if he completes a new deal worth in excess of £500,000.
Wasps are now among the richest clubs in Europe after buying the Ricoh Arena in a move driven by owner Derek Richardson.
Rugby director Young admitted the club must fight hard not become the victims of that financial success and pay over the odds for players.
"If you start paying crazy values for certain players it will have a real negative effect on the rest of the squad," said Young.
"The players we've got want us to attract top players, and want us to be competing for the best players, without a shadow of a doubt.
"But I think you have to be fair, and I think some of the figures that are chucked out there are just crazy."
