Citroen's deadline to counter Meeke's Toyota WRC offer looming

As revealed by Autosport last week, the Northern Irishman has a three-year agreement on the table from Toyota team principal Tommi Makinen.

If he accepts the deal, Meeke would lead the testing and development of the Yaris WRC next season, before spearheading the world's biggest car maker's WRC return in 2017.

Citroen, Meeke's employer for the last two years, is keen to retain his services and spent more time talking through a possible deal last weekend.

With Citroen increasingly likely to contest next month's 2016 WRC season opener in Monte Carlo, its team principal Yves Matton admitted any agreement with this year's Rally Argentina winner would have to come quickly.

"It's true we have to make a decision before December 18," Matton told Autosport.

"That's the date for entries to close for Monte Carlo."

Responding to talk of Meeke's Toyota move, Matton added: "I can tell you we are still talking to Kris, but I prefer to make my negotiations directly with Kris rather than in the media.

"When we have a commitment or when we do not have a commitment, we will communicate that news.

"One thing I will say is that Kris knows about the timeframe he has as a driver and he knows he wants to be world champion, so he has to make his decision.

"It is not for me to comment on what position other teams might be in, but I know where we are and the commitment we have [for WRC in 2017]."