Chelsea have been encouraged to make a fresh new bid for Wayne Rooney since the Manchester United star has yet to be offered a new contract, according to a report today in The Mirror. The prolonged transfer saga this summer that saw Rooney eventually give a world-class performance against Chelsea and then withdraw his transfer request may have prevented the Blues from shopping more aggressively for attacking help in the summer window.

Rooney has been almost without question the best player for Manchester United this season, but with the side struggling and a reported clear-out coming thanks to new manager David Moyes, perhaps Rooney would be tempted to move.

Manchester United’s financial situation has been the subject of much speculation recently. Certainly, Rooney can be given a contract that fits within their wage bill, but with debt payments and heavy lifting again postponed by the Glazers into the future, does United have the resources should they miss out on Champions League football for multiple years to keep Rooney around?

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