George North closes in on move to France with Warren Gatland's approval amid financial challenges... despite impressive World Cup for Welsh international

George North looks set for a move to France with the blessing of Warren Gatland after failing to receive an offer to stay in Wales despite his impressive World Cup.

North is in talks to join French second-division side Provence. Reports in Europe have suggested a deal is done. While that is not yet the case, all signs point to North moving abroad with sources indicating discussions between the two parties are at an advanced stage. 

The 31-year-old centre is out of contract at his current side Ospreys at the end of this season. But the perilous state of Welsh rugby’s finances mean neither the Swansea-based region nor any of their three domestic rivals have been able to offer North a contract. 

It has left the 118-cap back no alternative other than to look abroad. Provence, flying high in the French second tier and hoping for promotion to the TOP14 for next term, are likely to be the ones to benefit. 

North’s Wales team-mate Tomas Francis is already at the club. MailSport understands North’s annual wage with Provence will be in excess of the £300,000 being quoted in France if the deal gets done. 

We have also learned that North’s likely upcoming move has been given the green light by Wales head coach Gatland and that the player wants to continue playing Test rugby. 

North had an exceptional World Cup with Wales despite Gatland’s side exiting at the quarter-final stage. He formed a promising midfield combination with Nick Tompkins of Saracens. 

North, who made his Wales debut at 18, is still only 31 so has more rugby left in him. Few will begrudge a player who has given so much to Welsh rugby a lucrative move abroad. 

‘I was really happy with my form in the World Cup and I'm still competing for the jersey,’ North said of his Wales future after the World Cup. ‘For me it's still a big driver. I want to carry on. I still want to play and fight for my place.’ 

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has admitted he is powerless to keep North in Wales. ‘We understand with good players that people will be interested,’ said Booth. 

‘The Welsh market will be of interest to big-spending teams because they know we can't afford to keep big players on big salaries. 

‘We have a budget of £5.2million this season and that is going down to £4.5m next season so every region is still staring down the barrel of a gun. ‘I don't think this will be the last of it either.’