ALL BLACK lock Chris Jack is just one of several new players Saracens are chasing ahead of next season, director of rugby Alan Gaffney has confirmed.

In a week which has seen Thomas Castaignede and Ben Johnston confirm their departures from the club at the end of the current campaign, the news of the New Zealander's possible arrival could not have surfaced at a better time.

The 28-year-old is thought to fancy a move to the Premiership after this year's World Cup and Saracens have stolen a march on their rivals for the capture of his signature thanks to boss Gaffney's southern hemisphere contacts.

Christchurch-born Jack, who plays for the Tasman Makos in the National Provincial Championship and the Crusaders in Super 14, is regarded as one of the best second rowers in the world. Powerful and quick, he is an expert lineout stealer and Saracens are set to reflect his glowing reputation by offering him a reported two-and-a-half year deal worth £750,000.

"We're talking to players from all over the shop at the present time," said Sarries director of rugby. "We're looking to see who we're losing (in the squad) and who we're not and what holes to fill. Some discussions (with Jack) have gone on but I have not been involved in them. It's just one of the options we have out there.

"He's one of the top locks in the world, that goes without saying. He's a great lineout jumper and is a very, very good player. I've seen quite a lot of him over the years and he's a resilient player who plays week-in, week-out to a high standard of quality."

Jack's capture would be regarded as one of the biggest and most spectacular in the Men in Black's history, and continues their long tradition for signing superstars from the southern hemisphere. Sarries second row Iain Fullerton says he is excited about the prospect of Jack pulling on the black and red shirt, even though it could threaten his own place in the starting XV.

"He's a really good player and has done it at the highest level," said the giant Scot. "It would be pretty awesome of him to come into our squad and I'm sure we would all learn a lot from him."

But fans fear the arrival of Jack, who signed a two-year contract with Tasman last summer after moving from Canterbury, could signal the end of Simon Raiwalui's Saracens career.

Gaffney hopes that is not the case.

"If Simon Raiwalui elected to stay at Saracens then he will stay," he said. "I can assure you if Simon leaves Saracens it won't be at the behest of the club. He's a massive part of the team and what we've achieved this season. There are definitely no negatives to talk about as far as Simon is concerned."

Sarries chief executive Mark Sinderberry confirmed negotiations to bring Jack - the 2002 New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year - to the club were in their infancy and added he hopes "one or two" significant signings are made before next season. However, Gaffney is adamant any new faces must fit the bill, no matter how big their reputation.

"We've come up with a wish list after identifying areas where we think we're going to be short," said the Aussie. "We're not after a load of superstars. We have to make sure these guys are the right people to come to Saracens and we do a fair bit of homework in that regard.

"Some players are outside our budget and we can't compete with some of the other clubs. But whoever we bring in we have to make sure we manage them correctly.

"I look at the end of Taine Randell's career and he played extremely well. Was that because Eddie Jones (former Australia coach) was here? Some coaches (before Jones) didn't get the best out of him so that was probably the case."