Are Clooney and Rooney REALLY ready to put together a dream team in Derby County?

More than 40 years after Sir Elton John first invested in his beloved Watford, the appetite among celebrities to invest money in their favorite football clubs is still strong.

But eyebrows rose yesterday as rumors circulated about this Hollywood heartbeat George Clooney60, wants to buy Derby County in Trouble, named Rams and run by former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney.

The Oscar-winning American actor, who lives with his wife Amal, a human rights lawyer, living in Berkshire, is said to be interested in taking over the Championship side without money.

George Clooney, pictured with his human rights lawyer Amal, right, is considering taking a stake in Derby County

The club, led by former England striker Wayne Rooney, pictured, faces a difficult financial future. The club took over the board last September and is now struggling to drop out after deducting 21 points for violating accounting rules.

The club took over the board last September and is now struggling to drop out after deducting 21 points for violating accounting rules.

Reports of Clooney’s interest that surfaced in a national newspaper were based on an interview he gave for Derbyshire Life magazine in which he revealed his love for ‘Aries’. In 2015, he was introduced to the club by Derbyshire-born actor Jack O’Connell while filming the crime thriller Money Monster.

Clooney described it as “a great football club with a fantastic history and I’m sure there is a great future.” I know there have been problems lately, but nothing that can’t be fixed and – under the circumstances – the team is working really hard and playing well. ‘

He added: “My interest in football has definitely increased in recent years and a few years ago I was asked if I would like to work with a group of others who want to buy Malaga Football Club in Spain. It was a very exciting option, but in the end it fell through. Maybe owning a football club is the next best thing to playing for one … Maybe one day. ‘

However, Ocean’s Eleven star did not explicitly say he was involved in plans to buy the club.

Reports of Clooney’s interest that surfaced in a national newspaper were based on an interview he gave for Derbyshire Life magazine in which he revealed his love for ‘Aries’.

But speculation was spurred by the timing of Friday’s interview, given that the deadline for takeover bids for the club was the same evening.

The Mail on Sunday spoke to veteran journalist and writer Bernard Bale, who conducted an original interview with Clooney earlier this year. Although it seemed to him that reports that the actor was leading the takeover were perhaps exaggerated, he said he “wouldn’t let that pass him by”.

He said: “Clooney is not short of money, he is a fun guy, he loves sports and has been following Derby County for many years. I wouldn’t be surprised if I just said to the devil, “Yeah, I’m going to invest £ 1 million” or whatever. He’s a pretty weird guy. ‘

It is understood that Rooney was surprised by reports linking Clooney to his club.

A Derby spokesman did not deny the reports, but said Quantum club trustees need to address issues of possible ownership.

Quantum did not answer MOS questions about whether Mr Clooney made the offer.

Another Hollywood actor, Canadian Ryan Reynolds, bought Welsh Wrexham last year with his colleague Rob McElhenney. They said they want to turn the National League club into a “global force”.

Famous chef Delia Smith is known as one of the key investors in Premier League club Norwich City.