Manchester United Transfer News: Wayne Rooney Deal Expected by Monaco

Despite having signed a bumper five-and-a-half-year deal and being named Manchester United captain by Louis van Gaal, Wayne Rooney's long-term future may not belong at Old Trafford, with AS Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev dropping a major hint about an England target.

Vasilyev, who is a man closely linked with Monaco’s billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, has insisted the French club were discussing the transfer of a “top English player” 12 months ago, and while a deal did not happen, he expects a move for the player again, per Oliver Brown of the Telegraph:

"

One year ago, we were discussing one of the top players of the Premier League, a top English player.

But it was on the table. This opportunity finally did not happen, but I think one day that it will come, that it will happen.

"

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

According to Brown’s piece, Monaco were on the verge of striking a deal for Rooney before he eventually committed his future to the Red Devils. Given the French club's stellar financial backing, they’re one of only a few teams who could match the England captain’s current wages of £300,000-a-week.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Rooney has endured a mixed start to life under Van Gaal. The 28-year-old has notched three goals and two assists already this season, per WhoScored.com, but he’s currently serving a three-game ban after seeing red in his last outing with West Ham.

If the former Everton man was deemed to be surplus to requirements, United would by no means be short of attacking options. Indeed, the club currently have Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, and he’s a player who should bag plenty after getting off the mark in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over the Toffees. Factor in Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Angel di Maria, and the goals would flow regardless.

Indeed, Sam Pilger of FourFourTwo and B/R UK thinks Mata actually brings more to the United side than Rooney:

But if United were going to cash in on their current skipper, you suspect the deed would have been done by now. Van Gaal made a major statement when appointing Rooney as captain—especially when you consider how closely he’s worked with Van Persie in the past—and to move the player on so soon would represent a startling change of heart.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The swanky Monaco lifestyle and the stratospheric financial package the French club could undeniably put together would be enough to turn the head of any player. But if Rooney wants to sample more major honours in the latter stages of his career, he’d be better off at United, who seem to be going in the right direction under the tutelage of Van Gaal.

According to Rob Harris of the Associated Press, Rooney could have a vital role to play at the club once he hangs up his boots, too:

"

Part of the thinking behind Rooney's new deal - they need someone from the current crop of players to do sponsor work into the next decade

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) October 2, 2014"

By contrast, Monaco seem to be a club that are currently on a downward curve. They made some major statements of intent last summer with high-calibre signings but having offloaded James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and with Falcao eyeing up a long-term spell with United, per The Guardian, they’ve resembled a team devoid of ingenuity and confidence so far this season.

Didier Baverel/Getty Images

Vasilyev also spoke of how his team wants to be the best in France and to mix it with Europe’s elite. But at this juncture they’re a million miles off Paris Saint-Germain, not to mention the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich; the signing of Rooney won’t expedite an instantaneous rise, and the England man will himself be acutely aware of that.

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Van Gaal has put a massive amount of faith in the United No. 10 and, aside from his faux pas against West Ham, Rooney has delivered performances worthy of a club captain this season. The Dutchman has built a reputation as an abrasive and unforgiving character, but he will surely afford his skipper the time to grow into his new role and adapt to the added responsibilities that come with it.

United continue to rebuild in a bid to re-establish themselves in the upper reaches of the Premier League, and as a player who has been at the club for a decade, Rooney has and will continue to have a critical role to play.