AOL is Google's biggest customer

The planned deal, which follows intense negotiations between the two US internet giants, would value Time Warner's troubled AOL unit at $20bn.

Under the proposed deal, Google would highlight AOL's services as sponsored links on its web pages.

Internet search giant Google is keen to prevent US rival Microsoft from gaining a foothold in AOL.

Biggest customer

Newspaper reports earlier this month suggested that Microsoft was considering buying a stake in AOL, with a view to integrating its own internet service into the company.

A deal between Google and AOL would demonstrate that Google is prepared to pay heavily to prevent Microsoft from becoming a bigger player in the lucrative internet search sector.

The two companies could reach agreement later this week when the board of Time Warner meets in New York, Reuters reported.

It is understood that AOL would continue to steer its subscribers to Google's search engine as part of any deal.

AOL is currently Google's biggest customer. During the first nine months of the year it accounted for about $429m, or 10%, of Google's revenue.

Share slump

Time Warner has been seeking a partner to boost AOL's value, which would in turn lift the US media giant's shares.

The company has seen its share price plunge since its takeover of AOL in 2000 - sinking from highs above $85 to around $18 currently.

AOL founder Steve Case last week backed calls for AOL to be split from Time Warner.

Yahoo had also been in talks with Time Warner but dropped out in November, reportedly because the media giant wanted to retain a majority stake in AOL.