Aaron Cruden in action for the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship match against Argentina at Waikato Stadium earlier this month.

A French rugby magazine has claimed All Blacks first-five Aaron Cruden could be poised for a big-money move.

A possible salary of $NZ1.2 million per season to play for Montpellier in France has been mentioned by Midi-Olympique for the Chiefs and New Zealand pivot.

It's being reported that Cruden may be eyed as a possible replacement for Demetri Catrakilis when New Zealander Vern Cotter takes over the coaching reins at Montpellier next season.

Cruden was seen as the logical replacement in the All Blacks No 10 shirt when Daniel Carter retired from international rugby, but Hurricanes star Beauden Barrett has seemingly usurped Cruden with a series of standout performances in Super Rugby and test matches this year.

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Valuers du Rugby reports Cruden is already in negotiations with Montpellier, a club whose All Black alumni include the late Jerry Collins.

Valuers says the annual salary being offered to Cruden is NZ$1.54m when premiums are included.

It's understood Cruden is contracted to New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2017.

Fellow All Blacks Sam Whitelock and Ben Smith have also been touted as targets for French clubs with wishlists and deep pockets but Midi-Olympique says the chances of them moving away from NZ Rugby are slim.

Cruden has also been linked in the British press this week with English club sides Harlequins and Worcester.

According to The Rugby Paper, Cruden's representatives have begun the process of putting out feelers to a number of Premiership clubs, but he "will only consider making a move if his £700,000 (NZ$1.25m) wage demands are met".

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