Shanghai SIPG boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that he does not want Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney in China according to the Sun.
Per the source, the Chinese Super League outfit were linked with a big-money move for the England international but Eriksson has denied the transfer rumours.
The former England national team manager revealed that while he does admire the 31-year-old forward he has not even discussed the possibility of signing Rooney at the club.
He told SunSport: “Everyone knows how much I admire Rooney. That’s one thing. To make out we are going to sign him is something else. There is absolutely nothing in it, zero.
“It is not something we have ever even spoken about at the club — and we have been discussing our options for next season a lot.”
The Swedish manager went onto praise Rooney but underlined that he already has quality and depth in the position that the United veteran would occupy with Hulk, Elkeson and Dario Conca already at the club.
“I have always known Rooney as a forward — one of the best I have worked with,” he added.
“But we already have Hulk, Elkeson and Dario Conca, who are all very good, as our forwards.”
Eriksson did however, state that Rooney is the type of player that other Chinese clubs would definitely be interested in and that the forward is still a very good player.
“He is still a very good player with a lot of quality,” he said.
“I’m sure he could come to China in the future. He is the type of player the league will be after.”
Rooney has been linked with a move away from United which would end his 12 year span at the club. The 31-year-old has struggled to break into the first-team recently and has a battle on his hands if he is to reestablish himself as a key player under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho this season.