United Linked with Rooney Swoop


Wants Rooney?

By Chris O'Brien
February 16 2004

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Wayne Rooney when the transfer window opens at the end of the season. However, it is believed that Everton boss David Moyes would only be tempted to part company with his 18-year-old striker if a bid of £25million was made. New Page 2

United Linked with Rooney Swoop
Manchester United and Chelsea have both, once again, been linked with a move for Everton's Wayne Rooney when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.

The 18-year-old striker arrived on the Premiership scene with a bang, hitting the winner against Arsenal on his debut, and since then has already made nine appearances for England, netting three goals in the white shirt.

Rooney has attracted interest from all corners, but Everton have always stood firm that the striker would be staying at Goodison Park. The youngster recently put pen-to-paper on a contract that took his weekly wage packet from a mere £70 a week to £13,000 a week. You would imagine that Everton would have to increase that amount further for Rooney to be completely happy to stay on Merseyside.

The Toffees have denied that they have recieved any enquiries regarding the eligibility of Rooney, with a club spokesman saying: "We have not had any contact from any club with regard to Wayne Rooney and nor would we welcome any."

Rooney has failed to recapture the form that saw him take the headlines so often last season for both Everton and England. His club Everton have also suffered a dip in form this campaign. The pressure was always on David Moyes to deliver after he took the club to the dizzy heights of 7th place in the Premiership last season, inches away from European qualification. The Toffees have had a somewhat different season so far, and relegation is definitely an issue at the club.

Should Everton be relegated to the First Division then a move away from the club for Rooney would be inevitable. However, it is thought that Blues deputy chairman Bill Kenwright and manager David Moyes have labelled Rooney with a price-tag of £25million, a truly colossal fee.

In my honest opinion I do not think Rooney is as good as media reports and many Everton fans would lead you to believe. He's still a teenager, and we have seen so many "flash in the pans" in British football before. Forking out £25million on such a player would be pure lunacy, and I personally hope this is nothing more than press speculation.

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