Chelsea are plotting to make a fresh summer bid for Manchester United’s maverick star, Wayne Rooney, as the Blues hope to exploit the striker’s contract situation.

According to reports from The Times, Chelsea camp feels that Rooney’s expiring contract will enable them to get the player on the cheap.

Chelsea have agreed to sell Juan Mata to Manchester United for a reported fee of £37m. The Londoners believe that offloading Mata to United will increase their chances of signing Rooney, while the Spaniard could be seen as an ideal replacement for the England international.

The Times reports that Chelsea are still monitoring other strikers like Diego Costa, of Atletico Madrid, and Jackson Martinez, of Porto, the Blues are convinced that Rooney will be more attainable and cheaper target at the end of the season.

Manchester United have insisted throughout that they won’t sell their precious asset to any domestic rivals and are even willing to hold him to the final year of his contract, but doubts remain whether such stance could prove to be practical.

Manchester United have rejected two offers for Rooney last summer however, the club has yet to offer him a new contract.

The West London club are understood to have found a replacement for Mata and are targeting Basle winger Mohamed Salah, who has held talks with Liverpool.