Heavyweight music producer and rapper Jay Z wants to help make Harry Styles “the biggest artist in the world”.

Already responsible for signing hip hop success stories Rihanna and Kanye West, Jay Z told the Daily Star he could catapult former One Direction frontman Styles to individual stardom “within a year”.

Styles and his One Direction bandmates are currently taking an indefinite break after five successful years together.

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The band was discovered by X-Factor judge and music industry veteran Simon Cowell, who signed them to Syco Records in 2010.

All four of the band’s albums debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, winning a swathe of MTV, Brit and American Music Awards.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Jay Z said he could offer 21-year old Styles – who is said to be currently working on solo music – the chance to work with the world’s “biggest producers” and “make the transition from being part of a group to becoming an individual artist”.

However, the Roc Nation head was realistic in his pitch, offering Simon Cowell the opportunity to take on Styles as a “joint venture” together.

“Simon is going to want to carry on working with him, of course,” he said.

“And Harry can make more than enough money for everybody to get a piece of the pie.”

It is not yet clear whether Styles or current manager Cowell are interested in the offer, but in the meantime the singer is said to be collaborating with Snow Patrol guitarist Johnny McDaid and dance producer Gary Go on solo material.