LONDON: Wayne Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford held talks in China on Thursday amid mounting speculation over the Manchester United captain’s future, British media said.

Rooney, 31, has been sidelined by manager Jose Mourinho heightening expectations he could leave United for the mega-rich Chinese Super League.

Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian are said to be among those interested in United’s all-time top scorer.

British media have reported that he could earn up to $1 million a week, making him the world’s best paid player.

However it remains unlikely that any move would be complete before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday.

Rooney missed Wednesday’s Europa League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne through injury, but dominated conversation in France.

Mourinho said that Rooney’s future was in his own hands in comments at his pre-match press conference that only fuelled the speculation. “You’ll have to ask him,” Mourinho said. “You have to ask him.

“Of course I can’t guarantee (he will be here). I can’t guarantee that I’m here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?

“What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club. That’s the only thing I can guarantee.

“I would never push - or try to push - a legend of this club to another destiny.

“So you have to ask him if he sees himself staying in the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving.—AFP