Loffreda's Argentina beat England at Twickenham in November

Loffreda has not yet decided whether to move to Welford Road but Argentina union president Alejandro Risler said: "We're working with him to reach Paris.

"All our efforts are concentrated on getting Argentina to our best-ever World Cup position.

"We are going to think about his successor after the World Cup."

Risler added: "I'm sure that Leicester's offer is in recognition of Loffreda's work with the Pumas in the last eight years.

The 47-year-old has been Pumas coach since 2000 and guided them to a famous win over England last November.

He will become the first Argentine to take charge of a major European side if he takes the Tigers job.

The former centre, who won 44 caps for Argentina, has never coached outside of his native country but has guided the Pumas to wins over England, France, Wales and Ireland.

South Africa coach Jake White and Australia assistant coach Scott Johnson are among others thought to be in the frame for the Leicester coaching job.

Former Wallaby international Howard succeeded John Wells as head coach at Welford Road in 2005.

He is leaving at the end of the season to take over the running of his family's pharmacy business in Australia.