Chelsea have set themselves a limit in their bid for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. The Daily Mail says United flatly rejected Chelsea's opening offer - £23million plus £2.5m in various performance-related clauses - submitted by chief executive Ron Gourlay last week.

They will match his £240,000-a-week wages at Old Trafford and give him a five-year contract if United finally agree to his sale.

Despite the instant rejection of their opening offer last week, Chelsea are undeterred. Their financial ceiling is around £30m all-in for a player they believe has five years left at the very highest level.