Manchester United re-open Rooney talks with Chelsea & moot Mata swap

Manchester United have re-opened informal dialogue with Chelsea over the proposed sale of Wayne Rooney - and have also enquired as to the availability of Juan Mata as part of discussions.

Despite continued public insistence from United manager David Moyes that Rooney is not for sale, officials from both clubs have held informal dialogue over a potential deal for the forward in the last 48 hours. Central to those talks has been the disparity in the two clubs' valuation of the Rooney, with United holding out for £40 million having instantly rejected Chelsea’s second bid for the 27-year-old, worth around £30m.

However, United have also used discussions to reiterate their interest in Mata, who was rumoured along with David Luiz to be offered to the Premier League champions as part of the Blues’ initial offer for Rooney.

Chelsea at the time denied including any of their own players in the deal while confirming that their written bid had been rejected.

But United's willingness to re-enter dialogue about a potential deal only 12 days before the transfer window closes will encourage the Blues in their hope of yet doing a deal for the England international.

"Wayne is acting and training professionally at Carrington but is making no secret of his desire to leave," a source close to United told Goal.