NEW AND IMPROVED

Last updated : 31 August 2004 By editor

Most news feeds are positive Rooney will sign today and reckon we have now tabled an increased offer of 25 million.10 million now,10 million next year(which comes out of Fergies transfer budget for next season) and the rest in instalments based on appearances.

Everton are anxious to ensure that those extra monies can realistically be triggered and, to that end, were attempting to link them to the player's future appearances for United and the team's qualification for the Champions League rather than him gaining specific European or domestic honours. Kenwright is still hoping that the performance-related fee will be set at £6m, with United currently offering £5m, with Everton also insistent upon a sell-on clause of 25% of any future fee for Rooney above £26m.

David Moyes, speaking after the match said:

"I cannot give anyone any information about Wayne Rooney. I have not even spoken about it today. It has been going on all summer. Wayne Rooney is a joy to work with and is a very good player."

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright also claimed 'nothing had been resolved' in the Wayne Rooney transfer saga. Kenwright met Uniteds chief executive Gill yesterday.

Kenwright told Sky Sports: 'We had a chat but nothing has been resolved. Wayne Rooney remains an Everton player.'

Asked if he expected anything to happen in the next 24 hours, Kenwright replied: 'I don't know. I truly don't know.'