All Blacks: $2m French deal for Dan Carter?

Carter had to battle through a first quarter when his handling was below par and he missed kicks at goal. Photo / Getty

Is Dan Carter set to be rugby's first £1 million (NZ$2m) man at the end of next year's Rugby World Cup?

British media are reporting that the All Blacks first five-eighth, who is off contract at the end of next season, is in line to sign a £1 million deal with French club Racing Metro.

With Jonathan Sexton moving back to Leinster at the end of the season, the French Top 14 side are on the lookout for a big name to replace the Irish number 10.

According to the Times, Racing Metro are willing to make Carter "rugby's first £1 million man". The newspaper suggests a deal could be confirmed by the Paris club as early as next week.

Rested Carter raring to make Super start

French rivals Toulon are also interested in signing the 33-year-old but Racing appear to have won the bidding war.

Carter previously played for French side Perpignan in 2009 during an NZRU sabbatical before he ruptured his Achilles tendon.

Herald vault: Feb 2 2009, Carter out for six months

Carter has played 102 tests for the All Blacks but struggled this season to find form after a string of injuries.

All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina was linked also with a move to the Racing Metro earlier this season but quashed the reports.