Ryan Lochte in a "three-way tie" for spot on the 'Bachelor'

The reality TV rumor mill is spinning with speculation that Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte is currently in a "three-way tie" to be the next Bachelor.

Playful jabs at Lochte by Bachelor host Chris Harrison earlier this week have demonstrated just how real these rumours might be. While Lochte has made it clear that he's up for the gig (who wouldn't love the chance to canoodle with 30 of the country's most attractive single ladies?), rumours that the Oympic athlete is asking for $750,000 from the show have been put to rest, according to E! Online.

"We have only had preliminary contact with the Bachelor," Lochte's manager, Erika Wright said. "Absolutely no figures have been discussed and no one from Ryan's team has made any comment with regard to compensation."

Lochte has been vocal about the fact that he is ready to find love, telling Access Hollywood:

"I would think about [The Bachelor]… I definitely would because, you know, before I was training so much that I didn't have time for a girlfriend, [but] I wanted to give that perfect someone my heart."

Lochte went on to say that now that the Olympics are over, he's ready to settle down.

A source at E! explained that Lochte isn't the reality show's first choice, though. Previous Bachelorette contestants Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and Sean Lowe, fan-favourites from Emily Maynard's most recent season of the show, are in a three-way tie, along with Lochte, for the spot.

"He's not the top choice. It's really a three-way tie. My guess is it won't be Lochte, but it keeps changing. We're told a decision needs to be made "soon,"" the source said.

But don't worry, ladies, Lochte will have plenty of screen time in the coming months. He will reportedly appear in a fall episode of 90210 and is said to be in talks to compete in this season's Dancing With the Stars.