Wanted man.

Ireland international outhalf Johnny Sexton has emerged as a shock target for French side Lyon, according to Midi Olympique.

The French side are set to lose the services of current playmaker Jonathan Wisniewski, who is retiring at the end of the season, and the report suggest they want an experienced operator to replace him.

Sexton, Australian international Bernard Foley and former All Black Lima Sopoaga are all believed to be targets, but it’s the Irishman who leads the way with the French side having already met his representatives in November when Leinster met Lyon in the Champions Cup.

The report also suggests Sexton would be keen to test himself in France again having failed to impress during his time there with Racing 92 from 2013 to 2015, and with Sexton now 34 – his time with Ireland could be coming to an end.

A stumbling block for Lyon, however, is the fact that Sexton is contracted until 2021, but the report suggests that the French side would be willing to compensate Leinster and buy out the last year of his contract.