Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney has emerged as a top target for MLS side Los Angeles FC.

Chairman Tom Penn has declared his interest in recruiting the United star as the newly formed club prepares to debut in the 2018 season.

After losing his starting place under Jose Mourinho, Rooney has been increasingly linked to a number of sides outside the Premier League and has already turned offers from the Chinese Super League.

Despite his reported desire to stay at United, Penn revealed that LA FC have identified the 31-year-old has a top target as they look to assemble their first-team squad.

"Wayne Rooney is an example of the calibre of player we are looking to bring to LA FC," Penn told ESPN 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 are keen to recruit their own ‘global star’ ahead of their entry into MLS, knowing they'll to need to match rivals LA Galaxy who have a record for signing big-name players over the years.

Alongside Wayne Rooney, LA FC have also reportedly set their sights on Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.

The club's executive vice-president, John Thorrington, added: "We are interested in a player or players who are passionate about becoming the first LAFC legend.

Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Breakthrough goal - 2002 Five days before his 17th birthday, Wayne Rooney scored a wonder goal against Arsenal in 2002 as the world realised his talent. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Switch to United - 2004 A £25.6m fee was soon agreed with Manchester United - despite interest from Newcastle - as Rooney switched Goodison Park for Old Trafford in 2004. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures On the international stage - 2004 It got better for the powerful striker when he scored four goals in as many matches at Euro 2004. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures The stunning goals continue - 2005 It wasn't long before Rooney had become a mainstay in Sir Alex Ferguson's United side, typified by his olley against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures The red mist descends - 2006 Always a cantankerous player, Rooney's demons haunted him at the 2006 World Cup in Germany as he was sent off for a stamp against Portugal. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures First of many titles - 2007 Rooney had to wait until 2007 for his first taste of Premier League glory, scoring 14 goals as United lifted the title in 2008. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures European glory - 2008 A year later, Rooney was invaluable to Ferguson again as the north west outfit defeated Chelsea in Moscow on penalties to win the Champions League. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Controversy returns - 2010 As England struggled to a 0-0 draw against Algeria in South Africa, the former Everton striker told supporters exactly what he thought about them into camera. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures World Cup woe - 2012 Despite finally scoring for England at a World Cup in 2014, Rooney was unable to prevent a torrid group stage exit under Roy Hodgson in Brazil. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Contract talks - 2012 Rooney twice risked incurring the wrath of Ferguson during their time together, famously truning down a contract offer and threatening to leave until better terms were presented. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Success continues - 2013 In Ferguson's final season in charge, Rooney helped lift another Premier League title in 2013 alongside strike partner Robin van Persie. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Record breaker - 2015 In 2015, Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record with his 50th international goal from a penalty in a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Switzerland. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Switch to midfield - 2016 As Rooney began to age, then-United manager Louis van Gaal switched Rooney into midfielder where he helped the club lift the FA Cup in the Dutchman's last game in charge. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Mourinho era begins - 2017 Rooney lifts the League Cup trophy, the first major success under Jose Mourinho. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Record breaker, again - 2017 Rooney became United's all-time top goalscorer, beating Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record, after a last-gasp equaliser at Stoke City Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures European triumph - 2017 Rooney comes on in the closing minutes as United beat Ajax 2-0 to win the Europa League. Getty Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Return to Goodison - 2017 Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Stoke at Goodison Park, his first goal after returning to Everton (AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images Wayne Rooney's career in pictures Retirement from international football - 2017 The England captain hangs up his boots in September 2017. "Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me," he said. "But I believe now is the time to bow out." Getty

"The player our fans and organisation point to in a five to 10 years as a player who played a major role in growing LAFC to be the global brand we aspire to become.