Updated 15.33
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE rejected a second bid from Premier League rivals Chelsea for unsettled England forward Wayne Rooney, United confirmed on Monday.
A United spokesman told the AFP: “A bid was received yesterday and immediately rejected. Our position remains that he is not for sale.”
The bid is believed to have been in the region of €34.5 million.
It follows an earlier bid of around €23 million from Jose Mourinho which was rejected by the Old Trafford outfit earlier this summer.
United boss David Moyes has insisted repeatedly that Rooney is not for sale but his comments last month that Rooney would be needed “if for any reason we had an injury to Robin van Persie” were said to have angered and confused Rooney.
Whether Chelsea return with a third bid remains to be seen but Rooney is expected to travel with the squad to Sweden today ahead of their pre-season friendly with AIK in Stockholm on Tuesday.
The second bid and United’s swift response could prompt Rooney to hand in an official transfer request.
In addition, Rooney will miss the club’s trip to Sweden due to a shoulder injury, with David Moyes explaining:
“Wayne hurt his shoulder in a fall during a match on Saturday.
“It’s not too serious and I don’t expect it to keep him out for too long.
“I’m disappointed he’s missing the game because we were keen to get him back involved and ready to play.”
Additional reporting by AFP.
First published at 11.00.
