James Anderson will have options to extend his legendary football career after being told he will not be offered a new contract by Lancashire.
A number of states want to talk to the 44-year-old if he decides to continue playing next summer.
Anderson will leave Old Trafford following Lancashire’s decision to release him from the club where he first played professionally 25 years ago.
Despite turning 45 in 2027, Anderson, who captained Lancashire last season, had planned to play on for another year until he was told he would not be offered a new contract.
The exit from Lancashire leaves England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with the decision to retire or talk to other countries.
Clubs from both divisions of the County Championship are understood to be interested in talks with Anderson and some have already made contact.
Any move for Anderson is likely to depend on the financials of the contract, the role he will be offered and the logistics of spending time away from his home in Cheshire.
For a county, the signing of Anderson would represent the acquisition of unparalleled quality on and off the pitch.
Last summer, Anderson scored 50 goals in Division 2 and won the Lancashire County Championship player of the year. Only six other bowlers in the second-order managed more.
It could also lead to the prospect of Anderson moving on to a coaching role in a new county at the end of his playing career. For the club, the opportunity to access Anderson’s knowledge bank would be very attractive.