Monaco are ready to test Manchester United's resolve in holding onto Wayne Rooney by plotting a big-money move for the England forward in the summer.
Rooney has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford ever since being left out of the starting lineup against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and despite denials from Sir Alex Ferguson, the 27-year-old continues to be linked with several clubs.
Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich are reportedly considering signing Rooney, but Monaco are planning a blockbuster deal which would blow every other club out of the water, according to the Daily Star.
Monaco, who are currently in Ligue Two, are expected to be promoted to Ligue One, and are backed by billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev.
The Principality club are ready to offer Rooney audacious wages, which would be tax-free, as they look to turn Monaco into one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Frank Lampard has also been linked with a move to the French club, and clearly money would be no object.
Rooney, however, is unlikely to accept the move considering the fact that Monaco will not be playing in Europe next season, although the money on offer would be tempting to anybody.
Meanwhile, former United striker Andy Cole has implored Rooney not to leave Old Trafford prematurely, like he did in 2001 when Ferguson brought in Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastian Veron.
"I can understand how Wayne might feel," Cole said. "I wasn't playing regularly at the time, so I was not the happiest man in the world. I was very stubborn and made my mind up. With hindsight, if I hadn't been so headstrong I could -- and should -- have stayed.
"Wayne is only 27, whereas I was 30-31, so he is not in the same position as I was. He has been left out for one game. One match cannot determine your career at a football club.
"The manager leaves big players out of big matches. It has happened down the years. I remember in the 1998-1999 Treble-winning season he left players out of the FA Cup final.
"And I was one of the players he left out for the last Premier League game against Tottenham. He has left big players out of Champions League finals. It happens."
Cole also does not believe Rooney has been overshadowed by the arrival of Van Persie in the summer.
"First and foremost, I wouldn't say Wayne isn't the No.1 anymore," Cole added. "The manager is always going to rotate players. Saying Wayne is not the No.1 aren't words that have come out of the manager's mouth.
"Everyone has been left out of big games and then come back the week after. The next big one you could be playing in. It is all part and parcel of being at a club like United.
"Wayne has been the main scorer for the past four or five years. Robin has come in and done extremely well and the only person I can remember coming in and doing that well in my time was Dwight Yorke. He scored loads in his first season.
"That's football, new people come in. But Wayne has still got a massive future at United. He is 27 now but it only seems like yesterday he arrived at 18. Wayne is quality. He has a lot more games in him here and he will score numerous goals here as well."
