Phil Dowson, who manages the Northampton Saints, indicated that George Furbank would be acting “illogically” if he didn’t engage with rival teams in the Gallagher PREM, particularly given his reported discussions about moving to Harlequins once his current agreement concludes at the end of the current campaign.
According to a report from The Daily Telegraph, Furbank, a recipient of one of the increased £150,000 EPS contracts, has held discussions on a couple of occasions with Quins regarding a potential transfer to the Twickenham Stoop this coming summer.
The Exeter Chiefs are also believed to have expressed interest in the 29-year-old England international flyer, Furbank, though Quins appear to be the front-runners should he opt to depart from the Saints, who are currently pursuing championship titles across multiple competitions this season.
However, Dowson holds out hope that Furbank will commit his future to the club, mirroring the recent decisions of Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, Alex Coles, and Fraser Dingwell, all of whom have renewed their contracts in recent months, with Curtis Langdon also expected to do so soon.
“When athletes consistently perform at a high level, their value escalates, and with increased value comes a higher price, a fact well understood by their representatives.
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“It would be utterly irrational for George Furbank, or indeed any other player whose contract is expiring, not to engage with other clubs to explore potential prospects available to them.
“They must weigh their options carefully to make a well-considered decision about their trajectory, not just for the immediate year, but for the next and for their life beyond professional rugby. I’m aware of reports indicating his conversations with other teams, and frankly, that’s precisely the course of action he should be taking.
“Naturally, we will present our most compelling offer. Our aim is to retain George, along with all our premier athletes. In a similar vein, we previously endeavoured to keep individuals such as Dave Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Alex Moon, and Temo Mayanavanua.
“At times, an external proposition may, in their judgment, surpass what we can offer internally, and that precisely defines the delicate balance we must maintain to retain the right individuals while respecting and supporting their chosen paths.
“We are very keen to retain George. He constitutes a fundamental element of this institution, having progressed entirely through our development pathways. He perfectly embodies the essence of our developmental philosophy,” Dowson stated.
