Alex Rins is reportedly closing in on a deal to join the Monster Energy Yamaha Racing team for the 2024 MotoGP World Championship season, replacing Franco Morbidelli.

The Spaniard - a six-time MotoGP race winner - is currently in the midst of his first season with LCR Honda, but is understood to be seeking a route out of his contract because he is frustrated at delays in receiving upgrades, such as the new Kalex chassis.

Yamaha, meanwhile, remains undecided over whether to retain Morbidelli alongside Fabio Quartararo, the Italian having failed to live up to expectations since being promoted to the factory squad from the Petronas SRT satellite team where he was a three-time race winner.

Though subsiding interest in Jorge Martin and Toprak Razgatlioglu appeared to suggest Morbidelli would receive a stay of execution for 2024, sources are now pointing towards Rins defecting from fellow Japanese marque, Honda.

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Rins is the only Honda rider to win a MotoGP race this season, the ex-Suzuki rider’s surprise victory in the United States marking the manufacturer’s first success since the 2021 Emilia Romagna MotoGP at Misano, while it was also LCR’s first podium-topping result since the 2018 Argentinian MotoGP.

However, his form proceeded to fluctuate thereafter prior to an accident during the Italian MotoGP Sprint Race at Mugello that left him nursing a broken leg.

From Yamaha’s perspective, Rins represents a quick and seasoned proposition," according to BSN's sister publication, Crash.net. Moreover, his experience of the M1’s inline-four architecture via six seasons competing with Suzuki could be a crucial asset in speeding up development with only two bikes on the grid.

Franco Morbidelli to Ducati?

If Yamaha does give the 2017 Moto2 World Champion the boot then his close ties to Valentino Rossi could well come in handy.

Much will hinge on whether Ducati decide to shift Marco Bezzecchi to Pramac in place of Johann Zarco to ensure he can get his hands on a 2024-spec Ducati GP24 next year, with Morbidelli then a logical candidate to take his place at VR46 Racing

Even if that scenario doesn’t play out, there could be a shot for Morbidelli at Gresini Ducati in place of the outgoing Fabio di Giannantonio. Ironically, if Morbidelli finds himself in the frame at Gresini Racing, then his biggest rival for the seat would be countryman Tony Arbolino, both of whom are managed by Carlo Pernat.

Who would replace Alex Rins at Honda for 2024 MotoGP?

Over at Honda, should Rins leave it would leave the manufacturer with a significant gap to fill.

Indeed, with Marc Marquez wavering and question marks over Joan Mir, any departure by Rins would be a big blow to the manufacturer at a time when few riders are coveting the prospect of throwing a leg over the tricky RC213V.

While it has one prospect waiting in the wings in 2022 Moto2 runner-up Ai Ogura, he is more likely to be lined up to replace Takaaki Nakagami, either in 2024 or 2025.

Instead, seasoned ex-MotoGP-turned-WorldSBK rider Iker Lecuona is favourite to return in Rins’ place.