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Tuesday Ticker: Rooney unhappy at Man United; PSV’s Strootman to join Roma; and more

WayneRooney1-FulhamFACup (Getty)

By JUSTIN FERGUSON

The transfer circus surrounding Wayne Rooney at Manchester United picked up even more steam on Tuesday with reports out of England suggesting the striker is looking to leave.

According to Sky Sports, sources close to the 27-year-old English star say he is “angry and confused” about his current situation at Old Trafford.

This news comes just one day after new Manchester United manager David Moyes–who has a history with Rooney from his Everton days–said Rooney would serve as a backup to first-choice forward Robin van Persie. Man United chief executive Ed Woodward also made headlines on Monday by telling reporters that the defending champions were not in talks to re-sign Rooney and have no fears about running his contract down.

“Rooney believes he is at the peak of his career and has no intention of becoming a squad rotation player or by playing second fiddle to anyone at Old Trafford,” the Sky Sports report reads. “He believes he has nothing left to prove after nine successful seasons–yet that is what is being suggested by reports in the media which have interpreted the club’s statement as meaning he’s currently on trial for the coming season.”

Rooney, who left Man United’s Asia tour early because of an injury, has scored 197 goals during his tenure with the Red Devils. During his recent transfer drama, he has been linked with a move to English Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Here are some more stories to get you through your Tuesday:

PSV’S STROOTMAN TO JOIN ROMA

One of the summer’s most coveted midfielders is on his way to AS Roma, where he will join American star Michael Bradley in the middle of the park.

PSV Eindhoven announced Tuesday that it had finalized a deal that will send 23-year-old Dutch international Kevin Strootman to the Italian capital. Strootman is currently in Rome for his medical and is expected to be unveiled by his new club in the coming days.

Reports indicate the deal will be for £15 million ($22.7 million), with the fee potentially rising an additional £3 million ($4.5 million) based on performance.

Strootman, who made 88 appearances with PSV since his arrival in 2011, has been a transfer target for several EPL clubs, including Manchester United. Roma’s move for the box-to-box midfielder may signal the sale of Daniele De Rossi, who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea.

SEVILLA’S NEGREDO TO SIGN WITH MANCHESTER CITY

After signing Jesus Navas, Manchester City is looking back to Sevilla for another attacking option as they reload for the upcoming season.

Reports in Spain say striker Alvaro Negredo is on his way to Manchester to sign with the Citizens. The 27-year-old Spanish striker, who has been at Sevilla since 2009, left the club’s training camp ahead of a Tuesday night friendly.

The deal is set to be worth up to €28 million ($36.8 million), with €3 million ($3.9 million) in performance variables. Sevilla reportedly have a replacement lined up for Negredo’s departure, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kevin Gameiro.

Negredo has scored 85 goals in 180 appearances for Sevilla since joining from Almeria. The former Real Madrid B-team player was a part of Spain’s championship run at EURO 2012.

NAPOLI SIGNS DEFENDER ALBIOL FROM REAL MADRID

Just hours after selling forward Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain for a record-breaking fee, Napoli has decided to use some of that cash for a new defender.

The Serie A runners-up have completed a €12 million ($15.8 million) transfer with Real Madrid for defender Raul Albiol, who has been at the Bernabeu since 2009. The 27-year-old center back has reportedly signed a four-year contract with the club.

Albiol will be reunited with former Real Madrid teammate Jose Callejon and manager Rafa Benitez, who all spent time together at Valencia. Reports from Italy also claim Napoli are in talks to bring another Real Madrid player in—forward and Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain.

QUICK KICKS

Bayern Munich announced during Tuesday’s unveiling of midfielder Thiago that they have no plans to sign or sell any more players this summer. (REPORT)

Juventus have signed defender Angelo Ogbonna from in-city rivals Torino, making him the 11th player to make the move from Il Toro to the larger Turin club. (REPORT)

Ajax midfielder and Liverpool target Christian Eriksen has reportedly turned down a move to Bayer Leverkusen. (REPORT)

Atletico Madrid have targeted French international and Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Rooney staying at Manchester United in light of this new information? Excited to see a possible Strootman-Bradley pairing at Roma? Surprised to see Manchester City signing another attacker from Sevilla?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Assuming Strootman isn’t tri-lingual (being from and educated in Holland he’d be fluent in Dutch and English) this might lean in Bradley’s favor since he’s fluent in Dutch and his first language is English. The two should have good communication and a more solid partnership early on because of this.

    As for Rooney, I feel for the guy because he has proven his quality (I do think he’s hugely overrated, though), but apparently Moyes has decided to choose him as his “example” player. What I mean there is, when a new coach or manager takes over a team, especially a successful one, he has to identify certain personalities and diffuse them in order to seem more authoritative, to show the other players that no one gets special favors–especially not the superstar who thinks he can demand his way to a new contract with a new club.

    If I’m taking over United, I’m finding a way to get Rooney on the pitch and enjoying his football with the other guys. A good manager doesn’t bench a great player because he has too many great players, he finds a way to get them playing together. After he elevates himself, then you sell his rights to a non-Prem. club. If he doesn’t elevate himself, send him to the lower divisions on a bargain-bin special.

    Reply
  2. Hope the new transfer works out for bradley. We need Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Deuce, Jozy, TIm Howard, Brek Shea, Holden, Cameron, and Danny Williams to get to get regular playing time at their clubs this year. Also we need to secure commitments from aron Johansson and JAB. Also we need timmy chandler to stop being a little girl. Also we need the younger the generation to step and start playing regular minutes and making moves to top leagues. It sucks with the injuries though.

    Reply
    • Jones, Bradley, Jozy, & Howard should all be regular starters getting solid minutes.
      Holden & D. Williams likewise in the Championship.
      Deuce and Cameron will be in rotation if not full time players.
      Shea is the one player from your listing I’m worried about. However, with Donovan back playing well for the US I’m less stressed over this.
      Johansson & JAB should both be given call ups during the European Friendly match in August. It won’t tie them to the US….but will give them a chance to experience the team/players and have a chance to determine if they’re interested in signing on with the US.
      Youngsters are starting to Step Up….Corona and Mixx are both looking good in the GC. If Chandler & Lichaj get their acts together they will be contributors as well. Still need 1 more CB, another winger, and hopefully Boyd & Agudelo to get hot….

      Reply
  3. Strootman Jesus. A cheaper harder working and younger if less polished Wesley Schneidjer (sp) and only for 15 mil pounds… Come on Liverpool after missing out on Mkhtaryan for even more money Id say he was a good backup. Unless Eriksson is a done deal this was a bad play.

    Reply
  4. I enjoy when Manc. U and their glory hunting supporters squirm when nobody wants to sign for them and their star wants out. This has cheered me up greatly after my disappointment in Gold Cup.

    Reply
  5. “He believes he has nothing left to prove after nine successful seasons…” Isn’t the idea of top flight soccer that you always have to prove yourself? Prove that you’re good enough? While I certainly know Rooney is good enough, he shouldn’t take anything for granted. Buck up, Shrek.

    Reply
    • definitely a bit unprofessional from Rooney but on the other hand, if I was him, and had done the things he’s done, and was told I’d be second string, I’d want out too.

      Reply
    • Granted that Strootman isn’t tri-lingual (being from and educated in Holland he’d be fluent in Dutch and English) this might lean in Bradley’s favor since he’s fluent in Dutch and his first language is English. The two should have good communication and a more solid partnership early on because of this.

      As for Rooney, I feel for the guy because he has proven his quality (I do think he’s hugely overrated, though), but apparently Moyes has decided to choose him as his “example” player. What I mean there is, when a new coach or manager takes over a team, especially a successful one, he has to identify certain personalities and diffuse them in order to seem more authoritative, to show the other players that no one gets special favors–especially not the superstar who thinks he can demand his way to a new contract with a new club.

      If I’m taking over United, I’m finding a way to get Rooney on the pitch and enjoying his football with the other guys. A good manager doesn’t bench a great player because he has too many great players, he finds a way to get them playing together. After he elevates himself, then you sell his rights to a non-Prem. club. If he doesn’t elevate himself, send him to the lower divisions on a bargain-bin special.

      Reply
  6. They can’t play RVP and Rooney together? Such an odd statement for Moyes to make. I assume he’s trying to light a fire under Schrek or transfer him. Risky stratagem either way.

    Reply
    • It makes sense for a new coach to light a fire under all players. No one is safe. It’s ridiculous that Rooney thinks he has nothing left to prove. That day comes the day you hang up your boots, not when you’re 27.

      Reply
  7. United are crazy if they don’t make Rooney happy. They bungled the Thiago signing and Strootman. No way they get Ces and Fellani. They may be out of the Champions League next season at this rate. And this is coming from a United fan.

    Reply
    • How was Thiago bungled? In hindsight, it sounds like he never intended to go to Man U. Pep comes out and says Thiago was his number one target two days before ink is put to paper? Come now. There are miracles in the world, but this isn’t one of them.

      Reply
  8. ugly looking prick (aka Rooney), you are making more money per week than fans who come watch you in a life time. You are confused and unhappy? just stfu do your job and thank God for the opportunity and this lifestyle

    Reply

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