Well if it's all above board there's no reason why other clubs shouldn't be doing it.
Very true. The key word being "IF". That's for the powers that be to pass judgement on.
I have sometimes wondered what would happen if something happened outside of the scope of salary cap "related parties". Hypothetically speaking, let's say Quins had a mega-rich fan (Deadly, for example) - you know, worth hundreds of millions - who wasn't actually affiliated or linked to the club apart from being a season ticket holder or a box owner. What if that person knew the club were interested in Eben Etzebeth (for example) but couldn't afford him within the cap. What if then that particular fan came to an arrangement with the player away from the club, about which the club knew nothing? Something like "Eben, sign for Quins and I'll give you £xxx per year as long as you play for them - call it a gift". How would that be policed, and would it be permissible or punishable?
Apologies in advance if this has been covered before.