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Published 10:50 7 Jun 2016 BST
Updated 10:50 7 Jun 2016 BST
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Joe Schmidt met up with Aki last week, after Connacht's Guinness PRO12 victory over Leinster. This is not the first time the pair have spoken about his Irish prospects but Schmidt did stress that he has concrete plans for the 26-year-old in his midfield.
Schmidt is believed to have had similar conversations with two of Connacht's other Kiwis, hooker Tom McCartney and flanker Jake Heenan, but Aki is the priority case.
The union will attempt to get Aki's signature on a new contract as soon as possible next season - October is the earliest he can sign a fresh contract. The centre is returning to Auckland for a couple of weeks but will return in plenty of time for pre-season in early July.
Such is the interest in Aki that the IRFU will have to offer Aki the type of salary reserved for Ireland's top earners. Johnny sexton and Jamie Heaslip are on three-year deals worth between €550,000 and €600,000 so Aki's representatives will be seeking a deal of that magnitude.

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