Kyren Wilson considering options after breakaway snooker tour offer

Kyren Wilson has confirmed he has received a firm offer to play in events away from World Snooker Tour and is currently keeping his options open over his future.

Rumours of a breakaway tour – with significant guaranteed money for players – were circling when the World Championship began and have grown louder over the event.

Matchroom Sport chairman Barry Hearn addressed the threat, while Judd Trump confirmed he was contacted but rejected the approach.

Wilson has also received an offer, but was not so clear on whether he would remain with WST or jump ship.

Asked if he had been contacted with an offer by rival tour backers, he said: ‘Yeah. I think a lot of the players have. It’s a good position for snooker. I think it shows the strength and the popularity and the demand.

‘It’s something that’s probably never really been seen before and it’s very interesting. It’s obviously turning a few heads. I think it’s exciting times for snooker.’

The nature of the much-discussed new tour is not yet entirely clear and how it will sit alongside the World Snooker Tour, but Shaun Murphy called on WST bosses to not let anyone who leaves the main tour to be able to continue to compete in any WST events.

Wilson is weighing up his options and says his priority remains becoming world champion, which may well no longer be on the table if he were to join a rival tour.

‘You know, I’m not on any side,’ he said. ‘Obviously my priority is to be a world champion. I want to become a world champion. I want those opportunities.

‘But then on the flipside, you do have to take things into account. You have got families to provide for. We have never had these opportunities before. I think it is something that players do need to think very carefully about.

‘Obviously I have come into the World Championship fully focused on this tournament. What will be will be for me. I am very comfortable in my life, where my career is at. Like I say, for me it’s just a bonus to be in the position to have these opportunities.’

Asked whether there was a possibility he would not be playing WST events next season, he said: ‘I wouldn’t say there was a possibility. I haven’t given it much time or much consideration. Perhaps it is something I will look at more seriously after the World Championship.

‘That’s something I will sit down with the family and analyse. I am so far off what I want to achieve. I have not landed any Triple Crown events. I have come so close. I have said previously I wouldn’t be happy if I won just one world title. I still want those opportunities. I need to sit down and analyse what is best for my snooker.

‘One of the things that is obviously at the forefront of my mind is still having the opportunity to become a world champion. That’s a real big thing in terms of a future decision. So it’s something I won’t take lightly.’

MORE : Shaun Murphy fires warning to players tempted by breakaway snooker tour

MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out on breakaway tour and Saudi Arabia deal

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