Coleen McLoughlin and Wayne Rooney are reportedly considering getting married in a 16th century castle in Italy.

The childhood sweethearts are planning to marry next summer and Coleen was spotted with her mum Colette in Portofino, near Genoa, yesterday, scouting out a possible venue.

According to the Sun, Coleen and Colette had a private viewing of the Castello Brown di Portofino yesterday morning then lunched together in a restaurant overlooking the town’s harbour.

A source told the newspaper: “The castle is as close to a fairytale setting as you can get. It’s the sort of place any young princess would dream of getting married. Coleen was left breathless by its beauty.”

On Tuesday, Coleen is said to have viewed other possible venues around the area and over the border into France, near Nice.

The source added: “This was a very hush-hush trip and Coleen was so excited. She’s seriously thinking about having the wedding overseas.”

The couple are said to have already agreed a magazine deal for exclusive coverage of their nuptials: they are said to have signed a £1.5million deal linked to the arrangement for Coleen’s 21st birthday party photos from earlier this year.