The 28-year-old was not selected in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad

Cipriani won the last of his 14 England caps against France last August

Danny Cipriani has agreed a big-money deal to return to his former club Wasps after turning down interest from French giants Toulon and Aviva Premiership rivals Harlequins.

The 28-year-old Sale fly-half, who won the last of his 14 England caps against France last August but narrowly missed out on a place in Stuart Lancaster’s 31-man World Cup squad, is understood to have agreed a two-year deal worth around £300,000 a season.

Sportsmail understands the deal will be announced by Wasps within the next 48 hours after terms were agreed on Monday.

Sale Sharks No 10 Danny Cipriani has agreed a big-money deal to his return to his former club Wasps

Cipriani tackles James Short during Sale's Aviva Premiership clash with Exeter on Saturday

CIPRIANI'S CAREER SO FAR 2006-2010: London Wasps (130 Premiership matches, 973 points) 2011-2012: Melbourne Rebels (19 Super Rugby matches, 122 points) 2012-2016: Sale Sharks (65 Premiership matches, 502 points) 2008- present: England (14 caps, 64 points) Advertisement

Cipriani will invoke a break clause in his current contract at Sale Sharks and his decision to leave the club he joined in 2013, with a year remaining on his contract, will infuriate director of rugby Steve Diamond.

But the move is a dream return to the club where Cipriani began his professional career as an 18-year-old before leaving under a cloud to join Melbourne Rebels in 2010 after failing to secure a regular starting spot under former England coach Martin Johnson.

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted players of his generation, his omission from Lancaster’s World Cup squad was viewed as baffling by many and his signing is another indication of Wasps new-found ambition at the Coventry-based club.

Cipriani won the last of his 14 England caps during the World Cup warm-up clash with France last August

Cipriani breaks past All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina during England's clash with New Zealand in 2014

Wasps nearly went bankrupt 18 months ago but have new-found stability under the ownership of businessman Derek Richardson and their relocation from Wycombe to the Ricoh Arena has been heralded as a huge commercial success.

‘Danny has always wanted to return to the club where he began his career and the ambition they are showing on and off the field has been a huge draw factor,’ a source close to Cipriani said.

‘He’s hugely excited by what (director of rugby) Dai Young is trying to achieve and the calibre of the squad he has put together.’

Toulon and Quins had both shown interest but Cipriani had no doubt about where to return.