Reports in France state that the former Leinster out half has asked to be released from his contract.
Well this has come as shocking news.
Ian Madigan, who has only been with Bordeaux Begles for half a season after making his debut for the club in August 2016, is reportedly looking to cut short his tenure in France and play his rugby elsewhere.
Now it hasn’t been the best of times for Madigan in France, he hasn’t made as many appearances as he would have liked for the French club, partly due to injury but also to do with form also.
The 27-year-old is on a two year contract with Bordeaux but it seems that Madigan wants to opt out of this early.
According to the reports in Mide-Olympique, Bordeaux president, Laurent Marti, is receptive to the idea but only if he can secure an adequate replacement, which may be Toulouse’s Toby Flood.
Transfer news & according to Midi, Ian Madigan has asked Bordeaux president Laurent Marti to be released from last year of his contract
1/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) February 20, 2017
It may come as a shock that Madigan doesn’t intend to return to Ireland, especially after all the talk surrounding his non-selection for Ireland during this year’s Six Nations championship.
It seems that the Dubliner wants to make a fresh start in England.
The Irish fly-half hopes to make a fresh start in England "where he's already had several offers from ambitious clubs"
2/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) February 20, 2017
Bordeaux "aren't opposed" to Madigan's request, providing they find a suitable replacement – and Midi says one possibility is Toby Flood
3/— gavin mortimer (@gavinmortimer7) February 20, 2017
This tends to be the time of year where rugby speculation is at its highest so it remains to be seen how much substance there are in these reports.