Fast Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli is rumoured to have signed a deal to replace Jonathan Rea in the Pata Honda World Superbike squad for 2015.

Although not yet officially confirmed, Rea is heavily tipped to join Tom Sykes in the works Kawasaki team next season and the factory Aprilia team will not exist as they are moving into MotoGP with Gresini Racing.

Guintoli has an association with Pata crisps, having ridden in their colours on a Ducati, and may not figure in a works-backed satellite Aprilia squad, due to be run by former Yamaha man Giulio Bardi with Marco Melandri on one of two RSV4s.

If Guintoli does make the jump, it will be a good mix of experience with youth in the shape of Michael Van Der Mark who had already been promoted to the team’s Fireblade following a second Suzuka Eight-Hours win and being crowned World Supersport Champion at Jerez.