All Black great Dan Carter has been linked with a sensational short-term deal with the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

Carter, who scored a record 1598 points in 112 tests, spent 13 seasons with the Crusaders before leaving for France shortly after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Carter, 38, is a three-time World Rugby Player of the Year and spent three seasons playing for Racing 92 before joining the Kobelco Steelers in Japan in late 2018. He was named MVP of the Japanese Championship after leading his side to the title in his debut season.

NZME's Sam Casey is reporting that Carter is on his way to the Blues.

I’ve just settled in for a nice steak dinner and then a little birdie tells me the great Dan Carter has signed with the Blues...all of a sudden the steak is a bit chewy...

— Sam Casey (@Sam_Casey4) June 3, 2020

It is understood Carter has been lined up to join Leon MacDonald's Blues for the start of Super Rugby Aotearoa later this month in a player-mentor role, while 23-year-old first-five Stephen Perofeta is recovering from injury.

Carter would be the second world-class first-five to join the Blues in recent months, with Beauden Barrett signing with the franchise in July last year.

Barrett, an 83-test veteran and two-time New Zealand Rugby Player of the Year, joined from the Hurricanes and is set to make his debut for the Auckland club against his former team on June 14.