FULHAM manager Jean Tigana is planning an audacious bid to lure George Weah to Craven Cottage.

The Liberian international striker spent much of last term with Chelsea, after Milan decided that he did not figure in their plans, and Tigana is putting together a package to bring the 33-year-old to England on a permanent basis.

Money is not an object for the Mohamed Al Fayed-owned club, and Fulham managing director Michael Fiddy said: "Initial steps have been taken but the player is still contracted to AC Milan.

"We will now be discussing matters to see if he is interested in coming to Fulham."

The one problem for The Cottagers is that world-class players are reluctant to drop into the lower leagues, and Tigana earlier stated that this was his one fear.

"I love the stars," the Frenchman enthused. "But it won’t be possible to get them now. They don’t want to play in Division One."

However, Tigana will have a battle on his hands, as a number of teams on the continent are keen to sign Weah.

The player is said to be on the brink of choosing between Monaco and Bologna, with the French champions favourites as they can offer Champions League football as an incentive.