Rumours: Chelsea prepare £35-million bid for Wayne Rooney

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Stoke City during EPL match at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester

Chelsea will test Manchester United’s resolve with a tempting £35 million bid for Wayne Rooney in the January transfer window, according to the Express.

The Blues had two bids rejected in the summer following Rooney’s fallout with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, speculation linking the Englishman away from Old Trafford has calmed following a string of good performances for the reigning Premier League champions.

According to reports, though, Chelsea could be prepared to test the waters one last time with a bid in January. Despite the revival in form of Fernando Torres, Mourinho is still said to be keen to add another world class attacking talent to his side.

Rooney, who has scored four league goals this season, has 20 months remaining on his current deal at United and with no signs of a new deal put in place, Chelsea could swoop in.

In his last Premier League game against Stoke, Rooney completed 74% of his passes, his map shows how deep he came to receive the ball, something which may appeal to Jose Mourinho, given he likes his forwards to be tactically flexible.

Wayne Rooney Passes v Stoke