Stoke City are reportedly preparing to make a shock move for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney this summer.
The 31-year-old has been tipped to call time on his 13-year stay at Old Trafford this summer, with big-money offers to move to the MLS and the Chinese Super League thought to be on the table.
England's all-time leading scorer has previously said that the only other Premier League club he would move to is boyhood side Everton, but according to The Mirror, Stoke are pressing ahead with an ambitious attempt to tempt him to the Midlands.
The newspaper says that the club could "comfortably" afford to pay £45m for Rooney thanks to owner Peter Coates's involvement with betting firm and Stoke shirt sponsor bet365, who are confident of recouping any outlay through shirt sales.
Rooney has one year left on his Old Trafford contract that is worth £15m in wages, plus a one-year option, figures that could put off any potential suitor should United insist upon a transfer fee for the veteran.
Everton are not yet thought to have made an offer for Rooney, who left for United in 2004.
Neil Wilkes
