Saracens technical director Brendan Venter has revealed that the defending Aviva Premiership champions are close to signing England's star wing Chris Ashton.

The former rugby league ace's contract with Northampton Saints expires at the end of the season, and he has been strongly linked with a move to Sarries for some time.

Venter, who stepped down as Saracens director of rugby last year, was with the players in Cape Town recently during a short trip to South Africa that has originally been intended for a Heineken Cup against Biarritz.

As Saracens continue to go from strength to strength in both the English Premiership and the Heineken Cup, a big signing such as Ashton would further cement them as on of Europe's top clubs.

"I think the nice thing with Chris (Ashton), he is a very talented individual which any team would love to have," Venter told EWN Sport.

"I think there is a process in having a discussion with him," said Venter.

"There'll must probably be an announcement in the next couple of weeks."