Speculation is mounting over the future of Chris Froome. The usually well-informed website Tuttobici (opens in new tab) reports that the new WorldTour team, Israel Startup Nation, is ready to offer the Englishman a three-year contract.

The contract is said to start on August 1, before this year's Tour de France and during the UCI transfer window, but according to Cyclingnews, Froome has not yet signed a contract for 2021 and his future is "up in the air," according to one source close to Ineos

Cyclingnews.

Cyclingnews revealed in mid-May that Froome was approached about a possible mid-season move to guarantee his leadership of the Tour de France. A decision on his future is expected this week.

Froome is currently training in France with a small number of Ineos teammates as he prepares to resume racing.

A mid-season move would require the consent of Team Ineos manager Dave Brailsford, and it is unclear whether he would be willing to let Froome leave before the Tour de France and become a major rival. However, Brailsford has a history of allowing riders to leave without financial compensation, including letting Mark Cavendish leave after one year from a three-year contract in 2013.

Froom is out of contract for the season and has naturally attracted interest from a number of teams, including Israeli Startup Nation. He has also discussed his future with Rod Ellingworth of Bahrain McLaren, but according to Cyclingnews, Israel Startup Nation is leading the race for Froome. Team Ineos is also currently in talks with Froome, but no new terms have been offered yet.

Froome's contract situation is very delicate as the transfer market for Grand Tour team leaders begins to move after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sport. Simon and Adam Yates also have contracts expiring at the end of the season, so Froome is just one of the big pieces.

Mitchelton Scott's precarious situation has led to speculation over the brothers' future. Simon Yates was offered a contract with Trek-Segafredo two years ago and ultimately decided to stay, but if Richie Porte's contract is not extended, the American team has room for a British climber.

If Froome were to move to Israel's Startup Nation, the team would likely sign additional reinforcements to bolster its GC capabilities in the coming years. For example, Froome was interested in making Mitchelton Scott's Mikel Nieve a key teammate. The Spaniard is also out of contract and was recently voted the world's best domestique in a Cycling News readers' poll. Ion and Gorka Izaguirre have also been rumored to be moving from Astana to the emerging Israeli country, as they are trusted stage racers.

The 35-year-old Froome has publicly stated that he wants to continue racing for the next few years. A four-time winner of the Tour de France, he has also declared a mission to win the race for a fifth time and match that record. However, the situation is complicated by a number of problems. First, Team Ineos is solidified with Tour winners, with Froome vying for the leadership along with 2018 winner Geraint Thomas and 2019 winner Egan Bernal.

The Colombian has already made it clear that he will not sacrifice his 2020 chances for his teammates, even though Team Ineos currently plans to run with three leaders in the Tour.

In addition, Froome has not competed in a Grand Tour since finishing third in the 2018 Tour de France. He suffered a career-threatening crash at last year's Criterium du Dauphiné, and although he is back to full health, he is racing into the unknown as he prepares to test his body for the first time in two years for three weeks.