Vickery has won 47 England caps

Injury-plagued Vickery, who has been at Gloucester for 11 years, is currently recovering from a third back operation.

He was offered a performance-related deal "designed to spread the risk more evenly between club and player".

Wasps have already confirmed they will hold talks with the 29-year-old with a view to a possible move for the player.

"Whether that leads to a contract is another matter entirely," said Wasps chief executive David Davies.

Money has never been an issue for me in playing the game I love Phil Vickery

"We would have to go through a process of assessing what he is capable of doing physically."

Vickery has started just 13 of Gloucester's last 42 Premiership games and has featured in only three of England's last 19 internationals.

"The hardest decision of my life was to leave home at 19 and without a career in front of me," he said.

"I was lucky enough to find that Gloucester became my home and the decision to leave the club now after 11 years is the second hardest of my life.

"Gloucester is a place that eats, breathes and sleeps rugby and when you are a player in that environment it inspires you."

If he played more regularly he would be a bigger loss to Gloucester From G Have your say on Scrum V

He added: "I want to be happy and I want my family to be happy. Money has never been an issue for me in playing the game I love - the motivation to play has to come from within - but to maintain that level of hunger it is time to assess my options.

"Gloucester has been, and always will remain, a very special part of my life and career."

Head coach Dean Ryan said he was disappointed to lose a player of Vickery's "distinction, leadership qualities and undoubted skill".

"He has been a talisman for Gloucester for 10 years and his experience was fundamental in our progress," he added.

"He has attained the highest levels possible in the game - has captained his country and won the World Cup - and reluctantly we have to accept his decision.

"The key thing now is to ensure the continued support and development of our young but exceptionally gifted squad for the long term."