Pay cut.

Maro Itoje could be set to leave Saracens at the end of the season after being offered a cut-price contract renewal by the Premiership champions.

New salary cap regulations are set to be introduced in the Premiership from next season, with clubs only allowed one marquee player on their books.

England captain Owen Farrell and Itoje are Saracens’ two marquee players at the moment, which has led to Itoje being offered a 50% pay cut to extend his contract beyond this season.

The 29-year-old is currently on a salary of £800,000-a-season, with the £400k offer falling far short of his reported £1,000,000 demands.

The Rugby Paper are reporting that two French clubs are willing to meet Itoje’s demands, with Lyon being one of them after they freed up some budget by the departure of Romain Taofifenua, who has signed for Racing 92.

Should Itoje move to France, he would no longer be eligible for England.