Halfpenny given Toulon ultimatum
Boudjellal says unless a new contract with the Lions' points machine can be agreed in the next week, he expects Halfpenny to leave the current European champions – with Dai Young's English side Wasps his destination.
"If we have no contract agreed with Leigh in the next week for next season, I think he will be going to Wasps. We are speaking to Leigh and his agent. He has a good proposition from teams in England with Wasps the main one.
"We would like him to stay. I don't know whether he will because, in France, we have some problems with the salary cap. We hope to have some information in the next week," Boudjellal said.
With the option of an extra 12 months on his two-year contract with Toulon, it is understood that Halfpenny is currently weighing up his options. Wasps, led by former Cardiff Blues boss and Wales captain Young, are keen on the Gorseinon product, while both the Blues and Scarlets have hopes of luring him back to Wales.
Halfpenny's next move could have big ramifications for his career, with the fullback believed to be keen to make sure he has full release for all Wales training camps and matches and the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand.
A move to the Premiership with Wasps would complicate that scenario, with the Welsh Rugby Union ready to step in with the offer of a National Dual Contract.
The Blues believe they would be Halfpenny's first choice while Scarlets supremo Wayne Pivac said Halfpenny was no closer to joining the Parc y Scarlets outfit. Believed to be on a wage of £600,000 (US$ 893,490) a year with Toulon, Halfpenny would most likely have to take a pay cut if he headed to either Wales or England.
The WRU's alleged limit on any dual deal is £350,000 (US$521,203) while it's likely Wasps would be prepared to offer more than that to secure what would they would consider to be a marquee signing.
Boudjellal's comments on the salary cap in France indicate they might be willing to let Halfpenny go to free up their wage bill, after they signed the prolific goal-kicker's fellow international superstars Ma'a Nonu, Paul O'Connell and Duane Vermeulen or maybe keep the 26-year-old on a reduced salary.
Meanwhile, Boudjellal has claimed Halfpenny could be back in action in March, as he continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Halfpenny hasn't played since sustaining the injury in the World Cup warm-up tie with Italy.
"“We have been told Leigh can play again in March. This is good news for us because he is a very good player and a very good goal-kicker. The best we have," Boudjellal added.
A March return to fitness for Halfpenny could mean he'd be involved in the latter stages of the Six Nations.
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