United Join Rooney Race with £20million Bid

By Chris O'Brien
August 25 2004

Manchester United have joined the chase for Wayne Rooney by matching Newcastle United's £20million bid for the England international. The offer is almost certain to be rejected, but it now seems likely Rooney will leave Goodison Park.

Manchester United have made a bid of £20million for England striker Wayne Rooney, despite the club previously announcing they were not interesting in bringing the Evertonian to Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson would have been alerted following the news that Newcastle United had made a big of the same figure for Rooney over the week, and his hurry to match their offer indicates that United are desperate to sign the youngster and would probably have waited until January to make the swoop had no competition emerged.

The Magpies saw their big-money bid for Rooney rejected, and United's offer will almost certainly have the same outcome. The bid is just there to show the Red Devils have entered the race to sign Rooney, who will now almost certainly leave Goodison Park before the transfer window closes on the 30th August.

The nearing closure of the transfer window is the only thing that could keep Rooney in Scouseland before next Monday, with Newcastle and United having only five days to improve their offers to a region which Everton would be willing to accept. Reports suggest Sir Bobby Robson has already contacted the Toffees with an improved bid of £22million.

A hectic few days on the transfer market are now expected, with the two clubs starting a bidding war over Rooney. There is also the question over whether Chelsea, to whom money is little object, will be tempted into joining the hunt for one of the country's brightest prospects who shone throughout the European Championships.

Rooney is currently injured and will not return to action for two weeks, so there is a chance that he has already made is final Everton appearance. The player has turned down signing a new contract with the Merseyside outfit, and they are willing to sell their prize asset to ease debt worries and possibly bring in new talent as they look to avoid relegation to the Football League Championship.

One this is for certain - there will be further developments, so stay tuned...!