WORCESTER Warriors have edged ahead of Exeter Chiefs in the race for the signature of Harlequins three-quarter Gonzalo Camacho.

The in-form Argentinian, who played try-scoring starring roles in both the semi-final and final of the Amlin Challenge Cup as Quins beat Stade Francais to hoist European silverware, has failed to agree a new deal at The Stoop and Warriors are keen to bring him to Sixways.

Despite playing on the wing for Quins, I understand the 26-year-old Pumas international, who has won four caps for his country, has been lined up by head coach Richard Hill as an outside-centre.

With Miles Benjamin, Marcel Garvey and Tom Arscott already on board, as well as the impending arrival of London Welsh wingers Josh Drauniniu and Errie Claassens, Hill has an embarrassment of riches out wide.

However, the Sixways chief sees Camacho as an ideal recruit to add some competition to his midfield and challenge Alex Crockett and Alex Grove for the number 13 shirt.

Hill is hoping the presence of former Quins players Ceri Jones and James Percival in the Warriors squad will help persuade Camacho that, like them, his future lies at Sixways.

Lyon headed up a host of Top 14 clubs interested in securing Camacho’s services, but the player is believed to be keen on remaining in the Aviva Premiership.

Premiership Rugby’s recently-introduced academy credits system, which allows clubs that include home-grown talent in their senior squads to spend over their salary cap, has freed up the money for Warriors to swoop for Cam-acho.

However, regardless of whether or not Hill manages to capture Camacho, there are still funds in the Sixways budget to be spent on a new number eight.

On that front, Worcester have admitted defeat in their attempt to sign another Argentina international, Stade Francais number eight Juan Leguizamon, who is likely to sign a big-money deal to stay in France.

Ex-Wales back-rower Alix Popham, who worked under Hill’s assistant coach Phil Davies at Leeds and Scarlets, has also been linked with Worcester after completing his three-year contract with French outfit Brive.

Ahead of their return to the Premiership, Warriors, who currently only have Kai Horstmann and Adam Balding as out-and-out number eights in their squad, are in dire need of a powerful ball-carrying option at the back of their pack.