The Mirror’s Ian Ladyman is reporting that Manchester United will invite Wayne Rooney for contract talks later thus year.
Despite Rooney’s attempts this summer to force a move to Chelsea this summer, Ladyman writes that United will open the door to talks about a new deal for the England star if the fuss of the last three months dies down once the transfer window closes on Monday.
Rooney’s advisers are understood to be fully aware of the club’s stance and it remains to be seen if they agree to sit down and talk now that their game of cat and mouse over the move to Chelsea has failed so publicly.
In essence the ball is now firmly in Rooney’s court and if his attitude does eventually lead to an opening of talks then there will still be obstacles to overcome.
Certainly United will not offer Rooney the same £250,000-a-week salary he has earned for the last three years. Any offer will be incentivised and will depend heavily on performances and appearances.
Rooney may, therefore, decided to sit it out on his current deal and try to get himself a move somewhere next summer. A move to Chelsea may not be an option in a year’s time, however, as Mourinho will have bought an alternative by then.