Farrell has been plagued by knee problems during his career

The cost of such a high-profile gamble is thought to be putting the Tigers off, with Saracens now prime candidates to take Farrell into union.

Northampton are also thought to be in the running to sign the Wigan forward.

Leicester's director of rugby John Wells told BBC Radio Leicester he has all but ruled out Farrell arriving at Welford Road.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have until the end of March to decide whether to groundshare with Leicester City at the Walkers Stadium next season.

One issue is the standard of the pitch Tigers chairman Peter Tom on a Leicester groundshare

Tigers chairman Peter Tom said good, if slow, progress was being made on the key issues surrounding the groundshare.

These include primacy of tenure, the state of the pitch and the possible introduction of removable terracing.

While a Heineken Cup semi-final could be staged at the Walkers Stadium in April, a permanent move has not yet been agreed with the rugby and football authorities.

"One issue is the standard of the pitch and getting one that's appropriate enough to play both football and rugby," said Tom.

"We really need to get on with that as soon as the season finishes.

"The other key area is season tickets, and if we're in the process of making the move to the Walkers, then that will be vitally important to our season ticket holders.