Cardiff are lining up a move for South African outside-half Tinus de Beer but are struggling to get approval from the Welsh Rugby Union.
De Beer currently plies his trade for the Pumas in the Currie Cup, and is a former South Africa U20s international. Cardiff are in desperate need of an outside-half ahead of next season following Jarrod Evans' decision to join Harlequins and Rhys Priestland's retirement.
WalesOnline understands the Welsh club were interested in signing Sam Davies, who has now opted to join French club Grenoble, and Rhys Patchell of the Scarlets but were not able to meet their wage demands.
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Now, they have set their sights on a more affordable option in de Beer but their proposed new signing has been met by firm resistance from the WRU. The governing body are of the opinion de Beer would be blocking the development of young, up-and-coming Welsh 10s like Luke Scully, Harri Wilde and Dan Edwards.
As per the new Welsh rugby financial agreement, Cardiff need approval from the WRU to get this signing over the line, but as it stands that is not forthcoming.
Currently, Cardiff only have Matthew Morgan and Ben Thomas from the senior squad who can play outside-half next season, while Harri Wilde is in their academy.
The 27-year-old de Beer is affordable, and has been a solid performer at Currie Cup level for the Blue Bulls, Griquas and his current employers the Pumas. He is a prolific goal kicker at Currie Cup level, and an astute tactician who can also play full-back. But as it stands that is not enough to persuade the WRU to sanction the signing.
Wales' capital city side are going through a turbulent period, with finances at all four regions in a perilous state. Budgets are set to drop to £5.2million next season before going down to £4.5million the following year.
Another problem is the regions have to honour the contracts of players who were part of the now defunct "national squad 38", which saw 80% of a Wales player's salary come from an additional WRU payment to the regions. However, that agreement is no longer in operation.
The situation is more acute at Cardiff, who had a number of players including Josh Adams and Liam Williams in the NS38. This leaves very little money left for the rest of the squad, but Cardiff feel they cannot go without recruiting another body at outside-half next season.
What complicates matters even further for Cardiff with regards recruitment is the fact director of rugby Dai Young is currently suspended.
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