Controversial Arabic news station al-Jazeera is "in talks" to sign up Sir David Frost, the Media Guardian claims today.

The veteran presenter, who stepped down as host of the BBC's Breakfast with Frost earlier this year, would have a key role on al-Jazeera's planned new international channel, due for launch early 2006.

The broadcaster is also thought to have made a failed attempt to sign ITV's outgoing news presenter Sir Trevor McDonald.

While Frost's rep refused to comment, an al-Jazeera spokeswoman told the website: "I can't give any information on premises or presenters at this stage as it's in the hands of our lawyers."