Wayne Rooney rejected a £85 million Manchester City contract offer to stay with Manchester United.
The Sunday Mirror says City insiders believed their mega-deal would clinch a £60m transfer. Their personal terms for Rooney, who is 25 today, included wages of £15m a-year plus a £10m signing-on fee.
But Rooney turned down the chance to earn £288,000 a-week wages with City. He is now United's highest paid player on £250,000 a-week.
City's commitment to recruiting the best players in the world and paying them whatever it takes will send more shockwaves through the game.
Rooney and his advisers were aware of City's potential to challenge the Premier League's big four.
United persuaded Rooney to stay, but there is no doubt City will be back for more superstars.
