Jose Mourinho is desperate to secure his no.1 target…
Chelsea will lodge a new improved third bid of £28m for Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney, according to the Express.
The 28-year-old forward has emerged as the Blues primary target this summer, although Manchester United have remained adamant that he will not be sold at any cost. Chelsea have already had two bids rejected, but with misfiring Fernando Torres currently deployed as first-choice striker, Mourinho is desperate to bring Rooney to Stamford Bridge.
The £28m offer will still be rejected, with the Premier League champions holding out for closer to £40m.
“We will keep trying because, when the market is open, official bids are not forbidden. You try because nobody forbids you to try,” said Mourinho.
“We have conditions to try to improve our team with one more player. But we do have a Plan B and a Plan C,” added the returning Chelsea boss.
Chelsea’s ‘Plan B’ will more than likely be a move for Anzhi Makhachkala’s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o. The 32-year-old forward would only cost around £5m, but his wage demands would be astronomical – and with his advancing years, Mourinho will only turn their attentions towards him if Rooney proves unattainable.
United take on Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, and it will be interesting to see if David Moyes selects Rooney to play or not. What can be certain though, is if Chelsea complete a deal for the wantaway forward, the Premier League title emphasis will move swiftly south to Stamford Bridge.
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