91Èȱ¬

England centre Manu Tuilagi is in talks with Leicester and is set to sign a new contract before his current deal runs out next summer, according to Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Reports have linked the 24-year-old with a big-money move to Saracens.

But Cockerill told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Leicester: "We want to keep him and he wants to stay so I am pretty sure that we will end up with a deal at some point.

"We have gone a long way down negotiating that contract."

Tuilagi will miss the World Cup after being banned by England head coach Stuart Lancaster following his court appearance for assaulting two police officers.

But he was already ruled out of the the tournament - which begins on Friday - because of a groin injury.

Cockerill added: "Manu, I am pretty sure, is committed to staying and we are committed to keeping him.

"We will do everything to keep Manu. Negotiations are happening constantly.

"It's against Premier Rugby regulations to approach players before 1 January, which most people seem to have forgotten.

"He has been loyal to us and we know that. We are very keen to him. We know his capabilities are world class when he is fit and we will do everything we can, personally and financially, to make that work."