Boxing promoter Frank Warren looks set to close out a deal to lure Amir Khan away from the amateur ranks in April. Khan, 18, has been constantly linked with a move to the pros since winning a silver medal at the Athens Olympics.
And his camp fell out with the Amateur Boxing Association in February, before withdrawing from its championships.
An official announcement is not expected until next month, but BBC Sport boxing commentator John Rawling understands that the "deal is done".
And The Times newspaper reported that Khan's lawyer has now approved Warren's contract.
Khan is expected to have his final amateur bout on 16 April at Bolton's Reebok Stadium to raise funds for Bury boxing club.
And it is not clear whether or not he will fit in a rematch against Cuban Mario Kindelan - who beat him in the Olympic lightweight final last August - before joining Warren.
As a professional, Khan will likely be protected from tough opponents for the first couple of years at least.
And he may well move up to light welterweight, a tough division already populated by Britons Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter, as well as by world players Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Miguel Cotto and Arturo Gatti.
MMIX
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