Man U to make Rooney best paid player of Premier League

London, Nov.22 (ANI): Manchester United chiefs will offer Wayne Rooney an astonishing 170,000-pound-a-week contract when negotiations open next February.

That will include a 45,000-pounda-week image rights deal to become Old Trafford's poster boy, News of The World reports.

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

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

Considerable work has already been done on the deal behind the scenes, but no talks can take place until January when the ban on Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford is lifted. (ANI)