Top English cricketers may leave their central or county contracts for full-time deals with Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

IPL franchise owners are reportedly in talks with at least six English players, including international stars, to become their main employer in a deal that would replace their current employer, the ECB or English county.

According to a report in english newspaper The Times, the English players were approached by IPL franchise owners and asked whether, in principle, they would accept a deal that would make an Indian IPL team their main employer, rather than the ECB or an English county.

The development reportedly follows ongoing discussions among players' unions globally regarding the potential implications of year-long franchise contracts.

The 12-month franchise contracts move would be a significant step towards the football model of elite players being primarily contracted to their team and released for international duty, as opposed to the current practice.

According to the newspaper, a discussion on similar lines took place with star Australian T20 cricket players also.

The contracts could be worth upwards of 2 million British pounds a year and even as high as 5 million british pounds, the newspaper reported.

Further, the paper reported about a possibility of partial contracts both with ECB or county and the IPL franchise.

"Reduced IPL deals — covering at least three of the rounds — would also be on offer," the paper reported.

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