The Kardashians reportedly threatened to leave E! before being offered a $100 million four-year contract for their show 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians'.

Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian West

Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian West

The 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' stars recently signed a new four-year contract with the channel for the eye-watering sum but it's now been reported they threatened to leave the network before securing the deal.

Claiming the Kardashian's matriarch Kris Jenner was lead negotiator for her family, a source shared: "This has been in the works for almost a year. Kris is a fierce negotiator ... She was playing major hardball and threatening to leave."

The 59-year-old star and her daughters - Kim Kardashian West, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner - have been starring in the E! show since 2007 and network bosses were keen to keep them bringing in viewers.

The source added to the New York Post newspaper's PageSix: "E! needs them."

Meanwhile, 34-year-old Kim - who has 20-month-old daughter North with husband Kanye West - last night (26.02.15) took to her Instagram account to post a racy picture of herself wearing skimpy lingerie to celebrate hitting 27 million followers on the social media site.

She wrote: "27 mil!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!! I love you all!!!!! (sic)."