Blues’ billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has personally sanctioned a stunning £30million move for the unsettled Manchester United star – who had a plea for a move rejected by manager Alex Ferguson a fortnight ago.
There has been growing speculation about Wayne Rooney’s future at Man United, pre-dating news of Ferguson’s departure, and the 27 year old has certainly played a less pivotal role in the club’s Premier League title success this term as he has in previous campaigns.
Rooney has started 22 out of 36 Premier League fixtures this term and has, perhaps more tellingly, not started crucial fixtures in recent months, including last weekend’s home match with Chelsea as well as Man United’s Champions League second leg encounter with Real Madrid.
Indeed Chelsea may feel that the potential appointment of David Moyes as Ferguson’s successor could lead Rooney to seek a Man United exit. The Everton boss was very vocal in his disapproval of his former striker’s move to force his way to a Goodison Park exit in the summer of 2004.
This led to comments in Wayne Rooney’s autobiography that resulted in suing the England international, before both parties settled out of court.
And if, as expected, David Moyes takes over from the retiring Ferguson as manager of the Old Trafford giants, it may be too late to stop the move.
A United spokesman confirmed late on Wednesday that Rooney, disillusioned at being in and out of the side in recent weeks, had asked to leave, but said: “Wayne Rooney is not for sale.”
Moyes and Rooney have had a troubled relationship in the past and even though it has improved, speculation about the Scot’s arrival is unlikely to encourage Rooney to stay.
Champions League finalists Bayern remain keen to add Rooney to their growing roster of stars.
Their interest dates back several months and they are believed to be close to a deal.
But Abramovich has told Rooney’s representatives he is determined to sign the England striker as a statement of intent to co-incide with the planned return of Jose Mourinho for a second spell as manager.
Chelsea are confident they can hijack the Bayern deal and appeal to Rooney’s desire to stay in English football.
Rooney is the kind of muscular, physical forward Mourinho favours to lead the line and is seen as a high-profile replacement for Didier Drogba.
He is also available at the kind of price Chelsea are happy to pay, and is seen as the first step in Mourinho’s attempt to launch a title challenge next season. The price said to be between 25m and 30m.
Contact has already been made between Chelsea, United and Rooney’s representatives.
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He’s an arsehole, he’s injury prone, and he’s got a limited lifespan. The way he turns up for pre-season overweight every year and has said that the day after matches he can barely move makes me think he’ll retire from playing at about age 30. So £25-30 million for a player with 3, maybe 4 years left before he retires? No thanks. Not to mention the ridiculous salary he’s on, he’d have to go down to about 50% of what he’s on now in order to be value.
I wouldnlove to have him at Chelsea. He is Tevez like.. Very hard working, quality and plays to win every game. Even Mourinho said that one player he would love to coach is Rooney. But we should not pay more than £30mill for him..
NO NO NO!
we have a lot of average players so no to rooney,he is also an average player.
i will like him to come if throughly it’s real and not a speculation, rooney is a good player, no doubt but what about the strikers like lewandowsky and falcao? Ain’t we going for them anymore, cos if we should sign him, he will demand more playing time. I hope this is just not a speculation.
Good morning.
I’d rather have a Michu or Lewandoski than a Falcao or Rooney.
Usless player
Even if I close my eyes I will still say a big YES! For me I prefair Rooney than Falcao!!!
Massive waste of transfer money and wages on a over-rated past it (27) striker!!!
Dnt let ur hatered fr manu speak rooney is a good player to sign bt i m against it if 30 mill is his price tag coz if he joins chelsea he will most probably be a super sub so cnt pay 30 mill fr a sub
I think adding rooney in our squad will help us in a long way to retain EPL n Champions leaque nest season. But don’t 4get Isco ,fellaini,facao even lewandoski and Baines of everton chelsea will be in the same level if not better than fc bayern nest season.