Hampshire hold talks with Kabir

Kabir played for the MCC against champions Durham in April

Hampshire have confirmed that they have held talks with Worcestershire's England fast bowler Kabir Ali.

The 28-year-old was granted permission to speak with other counties after rejecting a new three-year contract at New Road.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove told BBC Radio Solent: "We've had talks with him and he's a player we're keen on."

Kabir, who has played one Test and 14 one-day internationals for England, has also been linked with Warwickshire.

Worcestershire had been hopeful that they would be able persuade the Birmingham-born paceman to stay at the club.

They held a meeting with Kabir and his representatives on Monday, but he remained resolute he would exercise his right to talk to other clubs.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We reluctantly agreed he could talk to other counties.

"We offered a new three-year contract which for the moment he has declined."

I suspect now the news is out it will be interesting to see who comes forward, and we hope that any county that does would contact us in the first place

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton

Kabir has taken more than 400 first-class wickets for Worcestershire since joining from Warwickshire in 1998.

But, he has suffered a frustrating 2009 season, with hamstring and back problems restricting him to just two County Championship appearances.

He now looks set to join wicketkeeper Steven Davies and spinner Gareth Batty, who have both agreed to join Surrey, in the exodus from New Road.

Newton added: "We are trying to be as fair and as reasonable as possible on this occasion, but we want to make sure the club's interests are protected.

"He has been here for many years and has been a terrific player for us. But the game is going through a transition period and we are trying to work within that.

"We have always said, if players do not want to play for Worcestershire, that is fine by us. But you have to lay down a few ground rules to allow this to happen in an orderly fashion.

"It's up to him who he talks to and, to be honest, I don't think this is a case of being tapped up. He has made a career decision.

"I suspect now the news is out it will be interesting to see who comes forward, and we hope that any county that does would contact us in the first place."

Wicketkeeper Davies and off-spinner Batty will both leave New Road at the end of this season after signing three-year contracts at Surrey.

England Lions batsman Stephen Moore, who is also understood to be a target for Warwickshire, is considering whether to activate a get-out clause in the three-year deal he signed last summer.