The owner of new MLS franchise Los Angeles FC has confirmed that the club would be interested in signing Wayne Rooney if he were to leave Manchester United.
Tom Penn told ESPN that the North American club would be looking to attract the calibre of players like Rooney and, despite LA FC still being someway off making their debut, insisted that the 31-year-old was someone they would continue to track with the hope of potentially enticing him across the Atlantic Ocean.
Penn said: "Wayne Rooney is an example of the calibre of player we are looking to bring to LA FC. He is one of 10 names we are looking at, but we are a long way from signing anybody up right now.
"We are still 18 months away from our first MLS game, so we will see if players of Rooney's status and reputation are interested, but LA FC is a club with the ambition to match its surroundings, so it is important for us to attract players with a global reputation."
Los Angeles FC are set to begin competing in America's soccer league from 2018 onwards as they become the latest side to be formed in the United States.
The club, who will enjoy a rivalry with established MLS outfit LA Galaxy when they take up residence in the division in two years' time, will no doubt be looking to make a couple of marquee signings in a bid to tempt other stars to join their cause - with Rooney reportedly chief amongst them.
Wayne Rooney a transfer target for MLS newboys' LA FC as they eye "global star"for 2018https://t.co/0NMJXsqcJ0 pic.twitter.com/QqIEtLXgdV
The Red Devils striker has been linked with moves away from Old Trafford over the past few months after he lost his place in United's starting lineup under current boss Jose Mourinho, as well as having to contend with a place on the bench for England during the October international break.
Rooney is contracted to United until the summer of 2019, but speculation has seen his name linked to the likes of former club Everton, as well as LA Galaxy among other foreign sides, while reports in China revealed that the United captain turned down a big-money offer from Super League side Beijing Guoan during the summer transfer window.
Rooney has featured 540 times for United during a glittering 12-year career.
Read more from Tom Power by following him on twitter!