Sexton’s Racing move looks a done deal

Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton is set to become the best paid rugby player in France after finalising his move to Paris-based Racing Metro.

The French sports daily L’Equipe claims a representative for the 26-year-old signed a two-year contract yesterday with Racing containing a third year option, which is worth €600,000 a year.

Last month, Sexton’s decision to turn down an offer of €500,000 a year from the IRFU sparked the rumours that he was heading to the cash-rich pastures of France’s Top 14.

Racing emerged as the early favourites although club president Jacky Lorenzetti baulked at suggestions Sexton was joining for an annual salary of €750,000 — almost twice as much as the Top 14’s current top earner, Toulon’s Jonny Wilkinson.

Sexton intimated that he was in talks with two other French clubs — believed to be Clermont and Toulon — while Racing Metro insisted that they were also discussing a possible deal with another international fly-half, the Springbok Morné Steyn.