Thursday 18 July 2013 05:39, UK
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that the club have made a bid for unsettled Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney.
Woodward has cut short his stay at United's pre-season tour to Sydney in order to return to Europe on urgent transfer business although indications are the business does not revolve around Rooney. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is hopeful of persuading Rooney to move the other way, insisting the Gunners have the finances to do so. "Rooney is under contract and has two years to go so it's United who make the decision," he was quoted in the Sun. "But we would not have a problem with the wages of Rooney." If Woodward is not dealing with the fall-out from the Rooney affair, the chances are he is trying to progress the transfer of Cesc Fabregas. United remain confident of securing the services of Fabregas despite Barcelona's insistence the player wants to remain at the Camp Nou. Senior figures within the Red Devils camp are of the opinion Fabregas wishes to join them, although it may take more than the £25million they bid for the player earlier this week to persuade Barcelona to accept. Even this situation is not straightforward given Fabregas has a clause in his contract which would ensure Arsenal were made aware of any developments. Yet, speaking on his own club's tour of the Far East, Wenger made it clear he thinks there will be none. "At the moment, Fabregas has decided to stay one more year at Barcelona," Wenger said. "We have the clause in the contract so we would be on alert but at the moment that is not something we are after."
