But Goldsmith, who was awarded the MBE for his services to music and charity, doesn’t believe what The Times described as “a whole lotta loot” will be the motivating factor.

“Basically, the sky’s the limit,” he told Pollstar, without revealing if he’s among the promoters who, according to The Times, are “structuring bids in the form of a large upfront payment to lure the band to their venues.”

The paper reported that Led Zep is “being pursued with offers from both Live Nation and AEG,” and claimed the latter put in an offer immediately after the London show, although it admitted it couldn’t verify that info.

But Goldsmith reckons some creative thinking is more likely to win the day.

“They are one of the few bands around that do not need to tour for money,” he explained.

“Not much point in talking hypothetically. Led Zeppelin committed to playing one show for Ahmet [Ertegun]. That was it,” he explained, as if dismissing any question of his own future involvement.

“If they decided to go onwards there are so many different ways to reach an audience. Money is not the driver.

“Therefore, what would be important is creating an environment that worked both for band and audience. That would need a lot of creative thinking with the band’s input being paramount.”

If Live Nation or AEG is about to stump up “well over £100 million,” which is where The Times is pitching the act’s potential earnings, then they’re not letting on.

“I wouldn’t presume to have any knowledge or info on this,” was LN head of global touring Arthur Fogel’s reaction to his company’s mention in The Times piece. However, he did admit to having thought about it.

Having persuaded The Police to reunite and take to the road again would suggest that producing a world tour for Led Zeppelin would be right up his street.

Anyone trying to prognosticate whether Live Nation is about to table a bid may be left feeling a little dazed and confused. While Fogel said he didn’t profess to speak for Live Nation colleague Michael Cohl when talking about Led Zeppelin, Cohl himself is saying nothing.

AEG Live President Randy Phillips, who was at the London show, is clearly a fan and would love to promote a tour.

“Standing on the floor of the O2 Arena, I closed my eyes and felt like I was in college studying for finals again,” he told Pollstar.

“As far as making an offer for a world tour that night, this never happened. I was told that the group are going to meet again in January to decide whether this was a one-off or if they will want to do more performances.

“Needless to say, if they decide to do more I would be honoured to be invited to make a proposal to be their tour promoter.”

Live Nation’s Los Angeles-based rival is seen as the other main contender by one or two of the U.K.’s serious papers, although Cohl will likely also have considered the fact the act doesn’t have a record deal.

As head of Artist Nation he now has an infrastructure to deliver a tour and record contract, as the company has recently done with Madonna.

The will they/won’t they debate may even be turning into a can they/can’t they question as singer Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are set to tour in the spring.

Most of Europe, apart from non-qualifying countries including all those in the U.K., is also likely to be more focused on the continent’s major soccer competition during the summer.

However, according to the Daily Star, the tour is definitely on and the act is already looking at playing Cardiff Millennium Stadium. It quotes Welsh Rugby Union chief exec Roger Lewis as saying, “We would love to welcome Led Zeppelin and we have already put in a request to Harvey Goldsmith.”

Only time will tell if he’s talking to the right person.