Salford Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash has warned rival clubs that they will have to pay a world-record sum if they are to sign Theo Fages.
The 20-year-old, who joined the AJ Bell Stadium outfit four years ago, has officially handed in a transfer request.
Contract talks, which chief executive Martin Vickers announced on the weekend were currently ongoing, have now broken down and Fages is seeking a move away.
However, Koukash will not let the France international leave without a fight, with the Manchester Evening News quoting the Salford chief as saying: "Any club wanting to buy Theo will definitely have to play a world record fee for him.
"Theo is a talented young player but sometimes players can be influenced too much from listening to their agents. This could well be the case and we obviously do not want to lose Theo."
Discussions over new deals for Cory Paterson and Junior Sa'u are also underway.
Daniel Lewis
