£250,000-a-week star to hold talks with Mourinho ahead of winter transfer window

Wayne Rooney is expected to hold crucial talks with Jose Mourinho in January considering his diminishing role at the club. Rooney is expected to evaluate whether or not to take the tempting offer from China as his condition at Manchester United worsens.

At 31, Rooney has rarely seen game time for United in recent times as Mourinho tends to prefer record signing Paul Pogba in place of Rooney whose position is slightly behind the main striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rooney has been accused of being too slow, lethargic and constantly calling for the ball from his team mates yet losing possession at any given instance putting pressure on the defence as opposition teams adopt quick counter attacking football against United.

According to the Daily Mirror, Sven Goran Ericksson and his club Shanghai SIPG are ready to make a £80 million (transfer fee and wages for Rooney for the duration of his contract) offer for the forward In the winter transfer window as they consider him a perfect addition to their squad.

He had In the past (10 months ago) rejected a similar offer from Ericksson and the Chinese club as he felt it was too early to leave for China at the point considering he was a regular starter under then manager Louis Van Gaal. At present, Rooney has nothing to lose if he moves to China as he is no longer a starter for both club and country despite the fact he is still the captain for both teams. The player might feel, at 31, time is against him also considering it’s the perfect opportunity to secure one last multi million pay before his retirement.

Rooney will to try to convince Jose Mourinho during their private talks as the gaffer has made it known he is not ready to let Rooney him for cheap saying last weekend that he will never sell the forward in his time in charge at United.