Lote Tuqiri has denied he is on the verge of signing a deal with a French rugby club, writing on Twitter that he is "not even close" to finalising his future after being sacked by the Australian Rugby Union.

The former Wallaby and Waratahs used his Twitter account to refute suggestions he is about to sign with Bayonne on a deal rumored to be worth $800,000.

The 30yr-old has just returned from Europe but said he had not spoken to any clubs and his future was yet to be finalised.

Tuqiri has been the object of interest from the NRL's West Tigers and Sydney Roosters, who remain hopeful of enticing the former Brisbane Bronco and maroons Origin star back to the 13-man code.