ROONEY SET TO STAY

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney may have been consistently linked with a move to other clubs in the last few weeks, but several bookmakers still see him staying at United beyond the summer.

Rooney was not a first-team regular for the first time in eight years last season. He spent the majority of the season on the sidelines or being played out of position due to the presence of Robin van Persie. It is believed that the presence of the Dutchman is causing a lot of friction, which led to Rooney handing his second transfer request of his Manchester United career.

Despite this, bookmakers think that Rooney will be persuaded by Moyes, who was in charge of Everton when he came through the ranks at the Merseyside club. Several bookmakers are offering odds of around 4/7 for him to stay at United for this season at least. Chelsea have been backed 2/1 to sign him in the transfer window after their manager José Mourinho made his interest on the player public. Mourinho has stated that Rooney remains the only transfer target for Chelsea at this stage. He has not expressed his admiration of Rooney just this once, as he has been trying to get the 27-year-old since his days at Real Madrid.

Chelsea, though, do not remain as the only club interested in his services as the likes of PSG, Monaco, Barcelona, and Arsenal have also been touted as interested parties as well. Barcelona are looking to sign a new striker after allowing David Villa to leave the club only recently, while Arsenal may come in with a bid for the player if they are unsuccessful in their efforts to sign either Luis Suarez or Gonzalo Higuain. The Premier league outfit are believed to be interested in both these players.