Kiwi code-hopper Joey Manu is reportedly looking to back out of a deal to play rugby in France to return Down Under for compassionate reasons – opening the door to an NRL return or the next step in bid to play for the All Blacks.

The Sydney Morning Herald cited an unnamed source on Thursday suggesting Manu was “considering asking for a release” from his French rugby contract.

Manu joined Japanese rugby team Toyota Verblitz this season after leaving the Roosters and then signed with Racing 92, while Stuart Lancaster – the Wallabies-linked coach – was still at the club.

Lancaster has since left, with Racing 92 in a relegation fight.

If Manu, 28, is able to secure a release he would have plenty of suitors in both forms of rugby.

While an NRL return would be possible – and he could join a team for the rest of this season if a release is secured before June 30 – he has also expressed interest in trying to break into the All Blacks via Super Rugby.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George told the Herald he was unaware of Manu’s situation.

“The Warriors have had no discussions in respect to Joey Manu’s future, but of course if Joey Manu was to become available we would definitely sit down with his management,” George said. “To this date, we’ve had none whatsoever.”

The Herald said Manu left the Roosters on good terms but it was unclear if his preference was to return to Sydney or his homeland of New Zealand.

Joseph Manu. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Roosters would have financial limitations on what they could offer him if he wanted to return to the Tricolours while the Warriors have salary cap space due to the retirement of skipper Tohu Harris in pre-season.

The Warriors could have an opening in the No.1 jersey from next season, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad linked to a potential shift to the Super League next year.

Manu told the Daily Telegraph last year that he had no interest in returning to New Zealand to play in Super Rugby at the end of his one-year contract in Japan. The All Blacks can not select players based overseas, except in the case of approved sabbaticals.

“Playing for the All Blacks is always something I wanted to do but it makes it a little bit harder by playing overseas. You have to go back to New Zealand to play and the Super Rugby comp hasn’t really interested me at the moment.

“It’s not really exciting for me. I want to go overseas, Japan, and experience a new life. Playing for the All Blacks straight away, I’d love to do that but going back to New Zealand right now isn’t really a priority of mine.

“Hopefully they change the rules. I want to do a bit of time in union. I want to do a few things there first, learning the game. It won’t be easy and will take a while to really do what I want to do.”