Sir Alex Ferguson knows nothing of Wayne Rooney’s link with Paris St Germain.
The future of the Manchester United ace has been of some debate in recent weeks, after he was left out of the starting XI to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League second round second leg last month. Arguably the Reds biggest game of the season, the exclusion of the former Everton man has led to suggestions his stock at the club is on the wane.
Despite this, Rooney has still figured heavily as United close on a record-extending 20th league title. Whilst his performance in the 2-2 draw at West Ham United on Wednesday resulted in him being substituted, it was his 24th outing in the competition this term, and he has made a further 10 in cup tournaments, with an overall return of 16 goals.
On his day the England international remains one of the biggest pulls in the Premier League, but with his contract approaching its final two years, if Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to cash in, then this summer would be the most opportune times. And reports over the past week have claimed mega-rich French club PSG are willing to pay £25milion for his signature.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side are closing on a first league title since 1994, but backed by their billionaire Qatari owners, they are determined to make a real bid to win the Champions League next season. And judging by their attempts to be crowned kings of Europe this season – they were eliminated by Barcelona in the last eight – they aren’t too far away.
Speaking to French television earlier this week, Michel Moulin, a former adviser to the capital club, was confident that Rooney will be heading to Paris during the summer window: “Wayne Rooney at PSG, it’s done. You will see, from next season, he will be a PSG player.”
Ferguson, though, has wasted little time in denying a deal has been discussed, let alone agreed. Ahead of the clash with Aston Villa on Monday evening, which could yet confirm the Old Trafford club as champions, the United manager responded to speculation linking Rooney with a move by saying: “I don’t think there is anything in that at all.”
United spent big on Borussia Dortmund’s Shinji Kagawa last summer, and the Japan international has shown glimpses of brilliance at times this season. There is a theory that he could be handed the Rooney role next season, whilst there is another school of thought that the Reds will cash in to launch a bid for Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao.
