Works Ducati exile Chaz Davies in in talks with the Aprilia MotoGP team to replace drugs cheat Andrea Iannone for the 2021 season.

Davies was given the Spanish archer from the Aruba Ducati WorldSBK squad as they wheeled in Michael Rinaldi, leaving the Welshman with no chance of a works ride inthe Superbike class.

It is thought that Davies is in competition with Moto2’s Marco Bezzecchi for the seat but has the power of BT Sport on his side as the TV broadcaster apparently has a clause in its multi-million pound deal with Dorna which states there must be a British rider on the grid.

Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith are now test riders for Yamaha and Aprilia, which means the blue-riband class is Brit-free. And with no natural successor in Moto2 - Jake Dixon has only just begun to challenge on a regular basis - Dorna may need to turn to Davies to fulfill its agreement.

Davies brother-in-law Eugene Laverty is also currently sans-seat but it looks likely he will find a home in one of the two BMW WorldSBK customer teams.