MLS title challengers Sporting Kansas City want to take Celtic captain Scott Brown to the United States.

SunSport can reveal the Western Conference champs — and MLS rivals Minnesota United — have joined the chase to capture the former Scotland skipper.

2 Brown could move to the MLS next summer Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Brown is out of contract next summer, just days after his 34th birthday, and has spoken to the Hoops about an extension.

The Western Melbourne FC consortium, who are bidding to take a new club into Australia’s A-League, have also declared an interest.

It’s understood Brown has yet to receive a concrete contract offer from any of his worldwide suitors — or from Celtic.

But Sporting Kansas City, who already have Scotland star Johnny Russell on their roster, have alerted Brown to their interest.

2 The midfielder's Parkhead contract expires next summer Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

They face Portland Timbers next week in the first leg of the MLS Conference Final and have emerged as one of America’s top teams.

Brown could become a “Designated Player” for Kansas or Minnesota — meaning a percentage of his salary could be outwith the strict wage structure.

Wayne Rooney is the Designated Player at DC United, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the same arrangement at LA Galaxy.

The American clubs have shown their hand amid delays in Western Melbourne’s bid to win a place in an expanded A-League.

It’s understood they must wait until December 20 before discovering if their bid for inclusion has been successful.

Celts are understood to be waiting in the wings with a two-year extension which would take the Invincibles captain to his 36th birthday in the summer of 2021.

Brown has been absent through injury since limping off in the 4-2 win over former club Hibernian last month.

But Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his desire to get Brown back in his side — and also his value to the team.

Speaking recently, Brown refused to rule out extending his record-breaking stay at Parkhead.

However, he is now considering plenty of overseas interest.

He said: “The club and I are speaking. There is no problem between myself and the club.

“We first started talking just before the international break.

“I still feel I’ve got a good few years left in me. I think two or three years easily. I feel fit and I feel good.”

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