adminLONDON. — Wayne Rooney will ask Manchester United for a transfer this week.
Sunday Mirror Sport understands that talk of Rooney’s future has dominated the Old Trafford dressing room during pre-season and that many of his United teammates are expecting the 27-year-old striker to now make his wish to leave the club official in the coming days.
New United boss David Moyes has insisted since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson last month that Rooney is not for sale and has rejected bids from Chelsea and Arsenal.
But Rooney — and his teammates — believe that his time at United has come to an end nine years after arriving from Everton in a £25million deal.
Rooney feels his future would be best served under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, but United will ideally look to sell him abroad.
Submitting an official transfer request will prompt the Blues to increase their offer to £40m.
A dressing-room source said: “It is now clear that Wayne has made up his mind about leaving United.
“It has nothing to do with David Moyes. He simply feels that he needs a new challenge.
“The talk around the club has been that he will officially ask for a transfer in the next week.”
Chelsea are, meanwhile, preparing an “imminent” second bid of around £40 million for Rooney — and the England striker will leap at the chance to become Mourinho’s No.1 striker at Stamford Bridge.
United have already turned down a bid of £30m but Mourinho has made it clear that 27-year-old Rooney is his main transfer target and an increased offer is expected this month.
Rooney should make a first public appearance for United since May 5 in Sweden tomorrow in a pre-season friendly against AIK Stockholm and be back in action at Old Trafford for Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla on Friday.
He completed a 45-minute run-out in a behind-closed-doors match with Real Betis yesterday to prove his fitness and has impressed backroom staff at Carrington with his work-rate and application since coming home early from United’s Asian tour because of injury. But while Rooney has no ongoing grievances with David Moyes, despite the new United manager making it clear he considers Robin Van Persie his first-choice centre-forward, Rooney wants to be played consistently in his preferred position at the heart of attack and sources say Mourinho would provide that guarantee.
Rooney has had long-standing issues with United and remains disenchanted at allegedly erroneous reports, fuelled by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, that he made a formal transfer request.
Ferguson is no longer manager — but Moyes is his anointed successor and the elder Scot’s presence still looms large at Old Trafford.
Rooney and Moyes have been in regular contact and there have already been discussions on a personal level since Moyes returned to his desk last week.
“The two get on fine,” said a source.
“Wayne has trained with a lot of purpose and enthusiasm. He is clearly eager to get himself back in match condition.”
Moyes has not given up on persuading Barcelona to part with Cesc Fabregas but he is also looking nearer home, with the Everton duo Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini on his list. — The Mirror-Mailonline.
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