Rooney May Reject £50k a Week

Everton fear Wayne Rooney will still seek a transfer despite formally offering the England striker a new contract worth £50,000 a week, the most lucrative in the club's history.

The chief executive Trevor Birch has faxed details of a five-year deal, amounting to a £12.5m commitment from a club whose debts are nearing £40m, to Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, at ProActive Sports and is awaiting a response.

Yet the Merseysiders are far from convinced that the teenager will pledge his long-term future to the club, with any rejection likely to encourage Manchester United.

Birch and Everton have become alarmed at an apparent unwillingness by Stretford or Rooney to instigate talks over a new deal, despite having mooted the idea late last season. Doubts arose before Euro 2004 as to whether the striker sees his future at the club he has supported since childhood.

Rooney has two years to run on his present deal, with his salary due to rise from £10,000 a week to £13,000 a week. Everton's proposal would amount to a 400% rise, a brave commitment given their financial situation, though the formality of offering a long-term contract is designed as much to provoke a reaction from ProActive, either committing the striker or confirming that he is seeking a transfer.

"Everyone at Everton is anxious that Wayne remains to continue his footballing education under the stewardship of [the manager] David Moyes," said Birch, who is braced for a protracted spell of talks with Stretford. "Whilst we all understand that a player of such ability will inevitably be coveted, we honestly believe that Wayne's interests at this stage would be best served by him committing to the club he plays for and has always supported.

"We believe this is the right offer for Wayne - one which fully reflects his growing stature within football. The five-year deal will hopefully not only satisfy his demands, but will also serve to underscore the club's ambition."

Rooney's relationship with Moyes, which has become fractious at best, may yet prove pivotal. ProActive last night confirmed it had received Everton's offer and will be giving it "proper consideration" before meeting Birch "in the not too distant future". Stretford is expected to respond in 48 hours.

Much depends on what interest there is from elsewhere. Everton value Rooney at £45m but Chelsea are not considering a bid. Likewise United are understood to be unwilling to pay more than £25m. Rooney is due to have the plaster cast protecting the metatarsal he broke at Euro 2004 removed today.