England's players could be in line for a massive jackpot.

The Daily Mail says in the wake of the Stanford Super Series in Antigua an investment consortium in the Middle East is exploring the possibility of offering similar riches to English footballers, probably early in 2010.

It would be a new twist to the Premier League's 39th game and the prospect of England versus Diego Maradona's Argentina, Brazil or Germany would be guaranteed to attract interest, whatever the circumstances.

A source said: "The match in Antigua was a huge money spinner, shown on television by almost half the countries in the world. Football would be even more of a commercial prospect.

"The game would be played on a designated friendly date and England played Argentina in Switzerland in a friendly a few years ago so there should be no problems about a neutral venue.

"FIFA pay bonuses for winning the World Cup as would the winners' national association so the money side should not be an issue."

Many of Europe's leading clubs have played winter friendlies in the Middle East where the facilities - and rewards - are first-class.

The source added: "Given the investment from the Middle East in the Premier League this is a natural next step."