Amir Khan signs deal to fight Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas in April

According to the Daily Mail the fight is expected to be Pacquiao's last and represents a coup for Khan, who has been craving a super-fight since entering abortive negotiations with Floyd Mayweather two years ago.

Khan has agreed terms 'in every last detail' to meet Pacquiao in America in April and confirmation that Khan has accepted will be sent by lawyers to the 36-year-old's legendary promoter Bob Arum.

Pacquiao insists it will be his last fight before running for election as a senator in the Philippines.

Shah Khan, father and mentor of Bolton's former two-division world champion, said: "Our paperwork went off to Arum on Friday and every point is covered.

"The location is definitely the US. The date in April may vary by a week or so but April is the month."

The 28-year-old had long been thought to be the front runner and has beaten the interest of Terence Crawford and Tim Bradley to secure the super-fight.

His father continued: "Mr Arum has to guarantee millions to Manny and it is unlikely he can reach those numbers with either of the other candidates."

Khan is big box office in America as well as around the world and brings UK pay-per-view television money to the table.

After being denied a bout with Mayweather three times, Team Khan are taking no chances: "We have been here before, with Mayweather so While we are confident the contract will be back with us in the next few days we are holding the second Saturday in January as a fall back date for an alternative fight."

Pacquiao and Khan were sparring partners as well as friends when both were working in the Wild Card gym with master trainer Freddie Roach.

Although he has not fought since defeating Chris Algieri in May, Khan has been staying fit on self-promotional travels around the world.

He returns to Bolton on December 5 to work more closely with his team.