(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Jennifer Anistons friends are said to be hopeful she will start dating Jake Gyllenhaal because they are already such good friends.

The Hollywood actress is continually linked to different men, but isnt thought to have been in a serious relationship since her split from John Mayer in 2009. She sparked rumours she is romancing Jake who had a brief fling with singer Taylor Swift last year after the pair were spotted enjoying a romantic meal around the time of her 42nd birthday on February 11.

Although her representative has dismissed romance rumours, friends of the stars are said to be keen for them to take things to the next level. Neither she nor Jake are strangers to Hollywood dating, but there is already such a strong relationship there everyone is really hopeful, a source said.

Jake was present at Jennifers birthday party at the Spotted Pig eatery in New York, with the pair laughing and joking for much of the evening. He even made a toast to her, fanning relationship rumours.

Jake bought her a collectors edition of A Midsummer Nights Dream, her favourite Shakespeare play. She was really touched, the source added to Grazia. He also made a toast to Hollywood love which everyone thought very significant. (C) Cover Media