Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) has approached its English counterpart, the Super League, about purchasing an equity stake in a deal that would shake up the sport, according to a report in Britain.

Britain’s Sky News reported on Wednesday that the NRL had held talks with the Super League over the last few days about a possible deal.

The talks, which are at a very early stage, are expected to continue next week, according to insiders.

According to Sky, precise details of the terms envisaged by the NRL were unclear, although senior figures inside the sport said they expected the NRL to seek a controlling stake in the Super League if a deal is to proceed.

One observer told Sky that the value of a 50% stake in the Super League was approximately PS75 million ($A135 m).

Robert Elstone, the Super League’s chief executive, has discussed the idea with Andrew Abdo, his counterpart at the NRL, although sources cautioned that there was no guarantee that a formal offer would be made or any agreement reached.