Montpellier owner Mohed Altrad has suggested there is a ‘30% chance’ that former Springbok Johan Goosen could come out of retirement to join the French club ahead of the 2018-19 season.

In a controversial move at the end of 2016, Goosen walked away from Racing 92 by claiming ‘early retirement’, which appeared set to bring a premature end to his career.

Following Goosen’s exit, it was reported that Racing 92 would look to take legal action against Goosen after insisting that he remained bound to the club by a four-year employment contract.

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However, in a recent column for French newspaper Midi Olympique, Altrad hinted that Montpellier may now look to buy Goosen out of the contract.

‘I would say that there is a 30% chance that it will happen. It all depends on the will of his current employer. I remind you that Goosen is still in the squad of Racing. If I can release him, he will strengthen our workforce for the 2018-2019 season. But in what state will it be? It will be 18 months that he will not have played.’

It’s reported that it could cost Montpellier as much as €1-million to extricate Goosen from the Racing 92 contract.

Photo: Jacques Demarthon/AFP