Kurtley Beale close to million dollar deal

Kurtley Beale in action for the Wallabies. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Kurtley Beale is close to signing a contract with London Wasps for a staggering $A1.35 million a season, according to reports in the UK.

The Wallabies star would become the highest paid player in the English premiership if the imminent two-year deal goes ahead.

The Wasps deal for Beale, 27, has been created by the Stellar Group, the same agents who set up Gareth Bale's world record transfer from Tottenham to Real Madrid, the Daily Mail said.

On $A1.35m a year, Beale would join Matt Giteau as the highest paid Australian rugby player and slip into the top three paid players in the world. Dan Carter is paid $A1.92 million a year.

The Australian Rugby Union would be unable to match the money and Beale may not even be able to make that much if signed a flexible ARU deal to supplement his wages in Japan as well.

Beale has often expressed interest in playing overseas and his form at the Rugby World Cup made him a prime target for European clubs.

Crucially, Beale has played 60 Tests and would be eligible under the "Giteau Law" to return and play for the Wallabies if selected for domestic Tests, European tours and the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Beale would re-unite with former Melbourne Rebels teammate Danny Cipriani at Wasps, after the English no.10 also signed for the club for next season.

Wasps coach Dai Young confirmed his club's interest in Beale at the weekend.

"We constantly say that any quality player who comes on the market, we would be interested in them, but so would 11 other Premiership teams," Young said.

"It's unfair for us to talk about players that are not our players. I think we have been pretty consistent in that, really.

"We have signed four players for next season - and been linked with 104.

"I think we have to adopt the policy, really, that when we do sign players, we've announced them. We have been pretty honest with that.

"Would you want Kurtley Beale? Yeah. And we will have the full-back and the winger. I will give you a list if you want."

Beale said in February he was interested in pursuing a stint playing overseas.

"I think I'll definitely, if it comes to that stage, be thinking about it," Beale told reporters

"If the opportunity comes up, I'd love to express my interest, but my focus now is purely on the pre-season and working hard with the team and getting ready for the Reds for round one."

- news.com.au