Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder admitted on Monday that the club will not stand in George Ford’s way if the England fly half wants to leave the club at the end of the season.

Ford has been linked with a move away from the Rec since his father, Mike, was sacked at the end of last season recently admitting that he had been “upset” by his abrupt departure. Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers figure among his suitors, but Sale Sharks appear to be favourites to land the 23-year-old.

The stumbling block will be his contract that runs until the 2017-18 season. Although Ford has a break clause, Bath would still be entitled to compensation and Bath owner Bruce Craig is understood to have blocked a proposed move back to Leicester, his former club.

Blackadder, who replaced Mike Ford at the helm, has been desperate to keep Ford, comparing him to Dan Carter, his former Canterbury Crusaders teammate. In turn Ford has rediscovered his best form under the New Zealander with Bath sitting third in the Aviva Premiership. However, Blackadder struck more of a resigned note on Monday, saying that Ford will be free to leave if he does not see his future at the club.