Cork looks set to leave Derbyshire

But they will only puruse the signing if the former England all-rounder is willing to take a drop in salary to comply with the wage structure currently in place at Old Trafford.

"I've always been a big Dominic Cork fan ever since he made his England debut and I still believe he is a good player," said Lancashire chairman Jack Simmons.

"If reports of his salary are to be believed I don't think he will fit into our structure.

"I won't break our wage structure for anyone but if Dominic Cork will come to us and fit in with our structure then I'm sure we would be interested.

"But it would have to come from the dressing room and the captain and the coach would have to want him."

Cork is set to leave Derbyshire after new Director of Cricket David Houghton indicated that he would not be re-offered the captaincy for next season.

The club's General Committee met on Thursday and agreed in principle to his release.

Chief executive John Smedley said: "The club hopes to have the opporunity to meet Dominic and his advisors within the next few days to conclude the matter."