North London side given indication that Old Trafford forward would consider move to the Emirates Stadium.
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Arsene Wenger will attempt to pull off a sensational summer transfer coup by luring Man United striker Wayne Rooney to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
CaughtOffside understands that the North London club have been given an indication from the 27 year old England international’s representatives that Rooney would consider a move to join Arsenal if he were to leave Old Trafford for pastures new.
Arsenal boss Wenger has publicly spoken of his very real interest in the experienced forward and is ready to make a formal approach to sign the Man United man. The Gunners board feel that any attempt to capture such a high-profile star can only serve to boost the club’s standing.
Even an unsuccessful move to land Rooney would serve as a statement of intent to the Arsenal’s fanbase, who have long hoped to see their side increase their level of spending in line with those in and around them in the upper echelons of the Premier League.
One of the reasons behind Rooney’s apparent decision to make a verbal request to leave Old Trafford stems from his use in a more withdrawn attacking role last season, making way for Robin Van Persie, and Wenger’s interest in the former Everton man is with a view to offering the Man United marksman a central striking berth.
Wenger is keen to bring in a proven goal-scorer who can fill the void left by Van Persie’s departure, a role that Olivier Giroud has failed to consistently deliver in.
The former Montpellier striker managed just 11 Premier League goals in 34 Premier League appearances and this has led Arsene Wenger to consider the purchase of a fresh striking option his number one priority this summer.
Though Man United are said to be keen to retain Rooney’s services they may find it hard to re-build bridges with the forward given the different versions of events surrounding his apparent ‘transfer request’.
Wayne Rooney insists he never made such a claim though Sir Alex Ferguson stated that he did and the fact that the striker doesn’t enjoy the best of relationships with his former Toffees boss David Moyes will add further fuel to that fire.
Arsenal are ready to offer as much as £25m plus the addition of Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen, who is said to be a player Man United are tracking as Moyes sets about beefing up his defence.
With Rio Ferdinand in the latter stages of his career and Nemanja Vidic suffering with injuries Moyes feels he needs to bring in alternative options and is said to be an admirer of the Arsenal skipper, who can effectively fill both a central defensive and left-back role.
The 27 year old former Ajax man found himself frozen out of first team action in the latter stages of the season, starting just one of Arsenal’s last ten Premier League matches of the season, a period which subsequently saw Wenger’s side collect eight wins and two draws to help secure a coveted Champions League berth.