Atletico's Forlan may be Chechnya-bound

Terek Grozny, the small but ambitious side from Russia's war-torn Chechnya, is eyeing Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan and has put together a tempting offer for the Uruguayan, a Spanish sports daily said on Wednesday.

Terek, coached by Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, would give the World Cup star 7.5 million euros per year over the next two seasons, rising to 10 million euros depending on goals scored and if the club qualifies for Europe, the AS newspaper said.

He would also receive two cars, a house and private security.

It said the offer was made in Madrid by a "supposed" representative of the Russian Premier Division outfit.

However, it quotes his agent as saying he "does not consider it to be official. In fact, the (Terek) intermediary was not even Russian - he spoke French" and he is waiting for "the Russians to come in person."

The 31-year-old striker, a former Manchester United player, has said in recent months that he is ready to consider "a good offer if it comes along."

Terek Grozny have been raising their profile since January, when they stunned the football world by announcing the signing of Gullit as manager.

The club finished in the lower rungs of Russia's top division last year and have only one Russian Cup to their credit.

But they enjoy immense support from the republic's iron-fisted ruler, Ramzan Kadyrov, with the Chechen business diaspora living in Moscow and other major cities providing them with financial support.

A Moscow daily reported last month that the club was set to make an offer for Brazil legend Ronaldo, who announced his retirement last month.

Forlan has since been an integral part of the Atletico side, which won the Europa Cup last season with the Uruguayan scoring both goals in the club's 2-1 defeat of English side Fulham in the final.

The player has twice won the award as the Spanish Primera Liga's top scorer and twice won the European Golden Boot.

He was also awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2010 World Cup after grabbing five goals in tournament, in which Uruguay finished in fourth place.