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.