ENGLAND and British Lions centre Manu Tuilagi is being linked with a big-money move to Worcester Warriors.

Worcester are reported to be putting together a £1.6million package for Tuilagi, whose Leicester Tigers contract finishes at the end of the season.

It is claimed the 24-year-old would be paid £750,000 next term if he comes to Sixways and £450,000 in each of the next two campaigns.

This month, Warriors director of rugby Dean Ryan said he was frustrated people had talked down the club’s Aviva Premiership prospects.

Ryan said: “I think everyone has to start understanding — that is the local media and the fans — it is about looking at where this club can go rather than to keep anchoring it to where it has come from.”

An ambitious bid for Tuilagi would certainly signal Worcester’s intentions to break into the top six.

But a club spokesman said: “As always, we will not comment on speculation.”

Tuilagi has scored 11 tries in 25 matches for England but was excluded from the World Cup campaign after being convicted of assault in May.

The Samoan-born centre has played 77 games for Leicester since 2010 and scored 24 tries.

Tuilagi, who is sidelined with a groin injury, can speak to clubs early next month, as he has not signed a new deal.

Midlands rivals Wasps and Championship outfit Bristol are also believed to be keen on securing the powerhouse.

The salary cap will go up from £5.5m to £6.5m next term and to £7m from 2017.

Warriors’ chief executive Jim O’Toole said: “We will respect the salary cap. Where the talent is available we will spend up to the cap and our long-term goal is to create a sustainable Premiership business.

“We won’t be reckless and will seek to build on our support base, commercial base and ultimately we have visions to increase the size of our capacity.”

Money from television rights is increased by around 40 per cent next season and central funding is being distributed to clubs.

Premiership clubs will be entitled to claim credits against the salary cap of non-English internationals picked for their country — around £10,000 for each league game missed.

“In the current salary cap, there is an exemption for one marquee player who you can pay whatever you want,” explained O’Toole.

“For instance, you can hire Dan Carter for £2m a year and it doesn’t count for anything towards the salary cap.

“Next year it will be two marquee players, one of whom has to be a foreign player who has never played in the Premiership before.

“Next year’s salary cap is £6.5m and if you wanted to bring in two All Black World Cup winners and pay them £1m each you’re at £8.5m.”

He added: “If you have a substantial number of home-grown players, international credits and injury dispensations, then the £6.5m suddenly looks like £9m.

“There are a number of clubs in the Premiership with no chance of spending that amount of money, no matter how much comes in from central funding, television or sponsorship.”