Yamaha has 'expressed interest' with MotoGP target Maverick Vinales

Suzuki rider Vinales has been tipped as favourite to line up alongside Valentino Rossi at Yamaha next year following Lorenzo's exit.

"Certainly Maverick has proven that he's one of the new, future talents of MotoGP," said Jarvis.

"He has a very good chance to go on to be world champion in the future.

"So he's an attractive rider.

"There are other options that we have as well, other riders with different profiles."

Asked about the current status of talks with Vinales, Jarvis replied: "We have expressed our interest, and there's an ongoing discussion".

He emphasised that Yamaha was in no hurry to announce its new rider.

"Things are never as straightforward and simple as they seem," said Jarvis.

"A lot of fans think it's a very simple thing and maybe sometimes even the media, but behind the scenes there's lots of complications and lots of issues that we have to take into consideration.

"The fortunate thing, honestly, is that we have a really good bike and we have a really good team. We have an attractive package on offer.

"Realistically, there's no time limit. With Jorge's proposal, we had a limit on that, which was not a bad thing, I think, because it forced a situation that could've dragged on for a long, long time.

"Now, I think we'll take our time and what's important is that we make the right selection.

"It would be absolutely too premature to say that we are close or not close."

Vinales beat Alex Rins to the Moto3 title in 2013 and then spent a single season in Moto2 before being elevated into MotoGP with Suzuki's returning factory team.

Though he has yet to secure a podium finish at the top level, the 21-year-old Spaniard has impressed the paddock this season by outperforming more experienced team-mate Aleix Espargaro and racing with the frontrunners.