Manchester United are ready to make Wayne Rooney the highest paid player in English football history. The News of the World says United chiefs will offer him an astonishing £170,000-a-week contract when negotiations open next February.

And that will include a £45,000-a-week image rights deal to become Old Trafford's poster boy.

United have become increasingly aware of temptations from Spain for Rooney with Barcelona having put him top of their wanted list for the summer.

Rooney knows of Barca's interest and is intrigued by the prospect of lining up alongside the likes of Lionel Messi but still retains a huge loyalty to United.

The Old Trafford hierarchy plan to reward that loyalty with the most lucrative contract in the club's history.