Arfeuil seeks new club

Grégoire Arfeuil, a 21-year-old winger for Section Paloise, is set to leave the club ahead of the next season, according to reports. The player reportedly informed his current club of his salary demands, motivated by offers from competing clubs. While the Section Paloise had already made an offer to extend his contract, the club stated it would not exceed its initial proposal.

Arfeuil's performance and injury

Arfeuil made his Top 14 debut just over a year ago and has already made an impression in the league, scoring 11 tries in 21 matches, including 19 appearances in the Top 14 and two in the Champions Cup. He was also seen in the Challenge Cup between late 2022 and summer 2025. However, he suffered a foot injury towards the end of last season, delaying his return to the field. His recovery is expected to be completed soon, potentially leading to a call-up to Marcoussis this autumn.

Potential destinations for Arfeuil

The destination of Arfeuil is currently unknown, but several Top 14 clubs, including RC Toulon, ASM Clermont, Lyon OU, and Montpellier HR, are reportedly heavily involved in the negotiations. These clubs have all offered contracts with higher salaries than the one proposed by Section Paloise.

Section Paloise's depth at wing

Despite the departure of Arfeuil, the Section Paloise has other resources at this position. The club has already extended the contracts of Fabien Brau-Boirie (20 years old), Émilien Gailleton (23 years old), and Théo Attissogbe (21 years old) for the long term. These three players are expected to be key starters in the backline in the coming years.

Other wing options for Section Paloise

Rodrigo Marta (26 years old) has already provided strong performances, scoring six tries in five matches in his Top 14 debut. Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang (26 years old) also provides solid depth at the wing position. Grandidier-Nkanang, who was a champion at the Olympics, was also selected for the French national team this summer, making two appearances and scoring two tries in Australia. In reserve, Clément Laporte, Émilien Gailleton, and Tumua Manu can also be considered for the wing positions. Additionally, the club is counting on the young Joachim Senga Kouo (18 years old), who recently joined from RC Vannes. He is expected to be a standout player and could help the club avoid the need for a replacement for Arfeuil.

Arfeuil's future and club strategy

Grégoire Arfeuil will turn 22 in December. Logically, he is attracting interest from several top clubs willing to increase their offers early in the bidding process. Focused on a long-term project, the club in the Pyrenees has accepted this concession to stabilize its squad and avoid hitting the salary cap too soon. Now, Arfeuil has many options to choose from. Additionally, this news could also lead to new clubs entering the negotiations in the coming weeks, expanding the range of possibilities.