John Galliano is being lined up for design for Topshop

John Galliano is being lined up for design for Topshop.

The troubled designer – who reportedly launched a verbal attack on a couple in a Paris cafe in February and was fired as Dior’s creative director in March after a video showed him apparently drunk, telling a woman in a cafe he “loved Hitler” – is wanted by the British chain’s owner Sir Philip Green to create a range for them.

Although nothing has been signed, discussions are said to be in the early stages and Green and Galliano want the collaboration to happen.

If the deal does come off, it will mark a huge turnaround for Galliano, who has been in rehab since his arrest in February.

As well as being sacked form Dior he was replaced at his own label by Bill Gaytten.

However, he was given a boost after he received universal praise for the wedding dress he created for close friend and supermodel Kate Moss when she married rocker Jamie Hince last week.

Last month, Galliano appeared in a Paris court, where he blamed his recent outbursts on his addiction to alcohol, sleeping tablets and valium.

His lawyer Aurelian Hamelle said: “One obvious thing is that John Galliano was ill. He had a triple addiction to alcohol, benzodiazepine (valium) and sleeping pills.”

The lawyer said Galliano – who is now back in rehab to receive treatment for his addictions – was mortified to see how he acted in the video and denies being anti-Semetic.

Five people were to give evidence in the trial, which ended yesterday, and the verdict is due on September 8.

If he is found guilty, he faces a huge fine and a six-month prison sentence.