Jonny Wilkinson's advisers are in ongoing negotiations with Toulon as the details of his summer switch from Newcastle Falcons are hammered out.

The England World Cup hero is set to put pen to paper on a two-year deal worth €1,400,000 (£1,240,000)  with the Top 14 side following protracted discussions.

The only possible stumbling block is Toulon being relegated to ProD2, but this is now looking increasingly unlikely after recent results. Although they remain just one place above the drop zone their improved form of late has seen them open up an eight-point gap over Dax (13th) with just four matches to play.

Wilkinson's agent Tim Buttimore confirmed that talks with Toulon remain "ongoing", while Philippe Saint-André - the club's incoming director of rugby - said he was hopeful of tying up the deal soon.

"Jonny's people are in talks with the Toulon chairman. I would obviously like to have as many good players as possible next season and Jonny is a top-quality player," Saint-André told the BBC.

"I have heard that a couple of other French clubs are in for him and there is also of course the option for him to stay at Newcastle," added Saint-André.

ProD2 leaders Racing Metro 92 have previously made their interest known, but it now seems the Toulon deal is all but signed - pending confirmation of their Top 14 status.

Wilkinson, 30, remains unavailable for his club Newcastle Falcons having failed to recover from the dislocated kneecap he sustained while playing against Gloucester on September 30, but that doesn't appear to have dampened Toulon's interest.

Indeed, further confirmation that one of England's highest profile players would be departing for France shortly appeared to come from Steve Bates, his current coach at Newcastle Falcons.

Bates, who has previously insisted that Wilkinson would see out his contract, told The Guardian newspaper: "It would be a real shame is his last game for this club would be that Gloucester match where he injured his knee. What a great servant for this club he has been."

He added: "Let's hope we haven't seen the last of him. [But] you couldn't argue against him leaving if it came to it, because he has been a tremendous servant for the club."

The paper also claimed that Wilkinson's lucrative deal with Toulon would also include a house with a sea view and a swimming pool.

The capture of the world's leading international points scorer would be a massive coup for Toulon, and their president Mourad Boudjellal. It also makes perfect sense as one of their most obvious weaknesses this season has been the lack of a reliable goal-kicker. With the signature of Leinster's Felipe Contepomi already in the bag it now looks like Saint-Andre could have two of the very best in the business at his disposal next season.

Wilkinson's capture would also add further gloss to an already star-studded squad that features the likes of Tana Umaga, Sonny Bill Williams, Jerry Collins and Joe van Niekerk.

The proposed transfer has been on the cards for months now, but took a considerable step forwards when Wilkinson flew to France recently to watch his future club go down 29-32 against Perpignan.

He was the the Felix Mayol to watch his prospective future team-mates, and also to hold talks with Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

The latter was subsequently quoted in L'Equipe confirming that discussions had taken place.

"We welcomed him, he was happy and now he's gone," said Boudjellal.