Hernandez moved to France from Argentina in 2003

Argentina star Juan Martin Hernandez wants to leave French club Stade Francais to join Leicester Tigers.

The 25-year-old fly-half is contracted at Stade until June 2009 but the club will not block a move this summer.

A move to Welford Road would see Hernandez link up again with coach Marcelo Loffreda, who took Argentina to third place in last year's World Cup.

"I want a new challenge and that challenge is to join Leicester," Hernandez told French paper L'Equipe.

606: DEBATE A great signing for Leicester, and probably the worst guarded secret in British rugby MP

"Leicester is a top club who have ambitions and who win titles every year, or almost every year, like Stade Francais.

"I have always wanted to go to England to experience another top league, another style of play, a new style of life, another culture."

Last year, Hernandez made the five-man shortlist for the International Rugby Board's player of the year award.

He is determined to help Stade defend their French title before leaving the club.

"I want Stade Francais and myself to get back to the level of last year," he said.

"I want us to finish strongly as champions and then after that we will see what happens between Leicester and Stade Francais."