BT Vision have offered Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand the chance to be their main football pundit as they continue the search for a current player to be the face of their Premier League coverage.
Respected sports media commentator Charles Sale reports in the Daily Mail that an offer has been made but admits that the 34-year-old may choose to continue playing.
"Ferdinand, who is heavily involved in a number of his own media projects, is understood to have other broadcasting offers, too," writes Sale.
"But the central defender, 34, is still a first choice for United manager Sir Alex Ferguson - if not England - when fit.
"And it would be a surprise if he hangs up his boots so soon to start a TV career."
Sale did however mention that former England striker James Beattie had impressed on screen tests but that they want a bigger man to be main pundit.
BT had originally hoped to bring in Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher but he is expected to take up a coaching role or sign for Sky Sports.
BT has won the rights to screen 38 of the best Premier League matches each season for three years, starting from August 2013, and is expected to launch its channel around the start of the 2013/2014 Premier League season.
Their collection will include 18 'first-pick' matches, where they will have the option of the best games of the weekend, with ex-BBC Sport presenter Jake Humphrey fronting the football coverage.
They have also signed up Clare Balding who will front a weekly sports magazine show for the channel as they look to complete a sporting line-up that also includes premium rights packages to show live WTA Tennis and Aviva Premiership rugby.
According to Tuesday's Daily Express, the channel is also discussing acquiring pre-existing rights from ESPN for the FA Cup, German Bundesliga and Europa League football.