Manchester United have re-opened "informal dialogue" with Chelsea over a potential deal for Wayne Rooney, but they want Juan Mata in return, according to Goal.com. Despite United continuing to publicly insist Rooney will not be sold this summer, they have reportedly held low-level talks with the Blues over a potential deal for the striker in the last 48 hours. Central to those talks was the two club's differing valuations of the 28-year-old, with the champions holding out for £40 million after rejecting Chelsea's second bid of around £30 million. United are believed to have made their interests in midfielder Juan Mata known during these discussions, after the Spaniard was falsely rumoured to have been included as a make-weight in Chelsea's original bid, something the Blues deny. Though Chelsea are unlikely to want to sell Mata, they will take encouragement from United's willingness to re-enter negotiations with just 12 days of the transfer window left to run. While United preferably do not wish to sell Rooney, they are prepared to explore all available options should the former Everton star force through a move by handing in another transfer request. And they believe the arrival of Mata would appease supporters should that happen.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
