Batter was offered a two-year contract worth about £300,000 by a Major League Cricket franchise, and the report says that Roy is willing to accept, even if it might take away his chances in the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India.
The Englishman, who is currently under contract with ECB until October, would become the first England player to cancel his center-back contract if he decides to sign with the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
Last month, the Times of London reported that owners of leading IPL franchises are trying to convince up to six of England’s top players to quit international cricket and sign lucrative annual contracts worth up to £5 million to play in the T20 league year-round.
Almost all 10 IPL franchises have entered various leagues, including the CPL (West Indies), SA T20 (South Africa), Global T20 League (UAE) and the upcoming Major League T20 in the US.
Roy was an integral part of the England team under Eoin Morgan and won the 2019 World Cup. Last year he was eliminated from the squad for the T20 World Cup, which England won.
He returned to the team last year for the ODI and played against Australia, South Africa and Bangladesh.
The first edition of the MLC will also face England in the summer, as the T20 Blast semifinals and finals will be on July 15, and the two County Championship matches will be played in the same period. In addition, the ECB Hundred starts on August 1.
Due to these events, ECB will not be issuing NOCs that would allow their contract players to participate in the MLC. While players with full contracts will not be able to negotiate a release with ECB, those with additional contracts can do so.
Meanwhile, Surrey expects Roy to participate in the MLC, most likely for the LA Knight Riders, which will take place between the end of the T20 Blast and the start of the Hundred.
Australian Marcus Stoinis, South African Quinton de Kock, Sri Lankan Vanindu Hasaranga, South African Henrich Nortier and New Zealander Glenn Phillips have been announced as MLC foreign players.
In addition, New Zealander Trent Boult and Australian Adam Zampa are expected to join the league in the United States soon.
(From PTI)