Transfers / Top 14 – Léo Carbonneau visiting the Racing 92 premises this week

This is one of the main topics in the transfer market currently: who will be Racing 92’s starting scrum-half next season? Since the announcement of the departure of international Nolann Le Garrec (22 years old; 5 caps) for La Rochelle at the end of the current financial year, the Ile-de-France leaders have been working to find a successor. It will not be the Lyonnais Baptiste Couilloud, who extended his training club for the long term, nor the Toulouse Paul Graou who, despite an attractive offer from Ciel et Blanc, decided to sign a new three-year contract in favor of the double reigning French champion.

Among the candidates, and as recently revealed by us, is notably the Briviste Léo Carbonneau (who will celebrate his 20th birthday next Monday), who enjoys good odds. Since the start of the season, the under-20 international, world champion with the Bleuets in 2023, is the captain of CABCL, with whom he played four of the first five days of Pro D2. According to our information, he was received by Racing 92 decision-makers this week, and visited the facilities. This shows a certain interest. However, nothing has been finalized, especially since the player (very attached to the Corrèze club) is engaged until June 2026. In the event of an agreement, his possible release will require signing a substantial check.

Arata’s expected response

However, President Laurent Travers has not abandoned the track which leads to Castres Santiago Arata, which is even a priority, since the Uruguayan international was also received recently. Although under contract with the CO, the player announced his departure from Tarn during the coming summer. He has in his hands a proposal from Racing, which is awaiting his response. This is imminent and, if it is positive, it will not necessarily end contacts with Carbonneau. Indeed, Clovis le Bail will leave Hauts-de-Seine at the end of the season, and he will therefore also have to be replaced. But Arata is also being courted by Stade Français, the Parisian neighbor being looking for a major number 9. His choice should fall on one of the two rivals.