Cee-Lo Green close to signing deal to return to The Voice - Report

Mark Seliger / NBC

On the heels of the news that Christina Aguilera is returning to The Voice, it is now being reported that judge Cee-lo Green is nearing a deal to return with her.

Cee Lo Green is in advanced negotiations to return to Season 5 of "The Voice" alongside Christina Aguilera, according to an NBC executive with knowledge of the situation.

"We are not there yet, but working toward it," said the executive.

As TheWrap reported earlier on Monday, Aguilera is already set to return next season as a coach on NBC's hit singing competition.

Aguilera has signed her contract to return to the NBC talent competition, an individual with knowledge of the deal has told TheWrap. According to the insider, Aguilera's return has been kept under wraps for a couple of months.

The pop diva will be paid $12.5 million for Season 5, said the executive with knowledge of the deal.

Another insider close to the negotiations said Aguilera made about $17 million when she was a coach on Season 3, which made her one of the highest paid women on reality TV. The insider said she could earn a figure as high as that again, depending on the number of hours she appeared. (Believe it or not, "Voice" coaches are paid by the hour.)

Green would not make anywhere near Aguilera's salary. Negotiations are still underway for coaches Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, who are also expected to return, the insider said.

For comparison, Mariah Carey currently makes a reported $18 million on Fox's "American Idol" and Britney Spears made a reported $15 million on "The X Factor."

Does this mean Usher is leaving? If so, do you prefer Cee-lo or Usher?