Beauden Barrett will be the most in demand player in the world after next year's World Cup.

A French club is willing to pay All Blacks star Beauden Barrett $3.4 million a year after next year's World Cup, according to Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

The Australian newspaper has reported that a major French Top 14 club is prepared to make Barrett the highest paid player in the world and he would earn $10m on a three-year-contract.

Although there are no reports of this in the French media, the Telegraph says there is talk of the massive contract being whispered about in Europe.

When contacted by the Telegraph, Barrett's agent Warren Alcock said: "We couldn't make any comment on that."

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If the New Plymouth born Barrett was to pick up a contract of that size, he would dwarf what Dan Carter earns at Paris club Racing 92.

Carter, currently the world's highest paid rugby player is picking up $2.83 million this season, before heading to Japan for one final big payday in his career.

But with Barrett aged 26 and the best years of his career ahead of him, it's understandable why he'd be able to command more money than the ageing Carter.

Even when Barrett comes off contract with NZ Rugby after the Japan World Cup, he'll still be in his prime.

Barrett is believed to be currently earning $1 million a season, through his contract with NZ Rugby and the Hurricanes.

It's unlikely NZ Rugby would be able to match such a big offer from a French club and even though the local production line will continue to churn out more first-fives, players as good as Barrett don't come along often.

This week, former Ireland first-five Ronan O'Gara, who is now an assistant coach at the Crusaders, talked up Barrett.

"He fills grounds, he excites people. Everything that is good about rugby, is what Beauden Barrett does," O'Gara said.

"He is an exceptional talent, he has probably nearly redefined No 10 play.

"I think Dan was obviously, and still is probably, the best No 10 in the world over all the decades. But Beauden Barrett is very exciting and potentially going to challenge him for that title."

NZ Rugby has set up an arrangement with English club Harlequins that would allow top New Zealand players to spend time in Europe, while still having a connection with them, but with French clubs still willing to pay incredible sums of money for top All Blacks, it seems as they are powerless to keep hold of their best talent.

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