Rooney sagaManchester United are ready to test Everton's resolve over Wayne Rooney by stalling over an improved bid for the England striker, confident that the teenager would rather join them than move to Newcastle or remain at Goodison Park.
The Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright, rejected both United's offer of £20 million and an improved bid from Newcastle worth £23.5 million yesterday but, while he might be willing to do business at £25 million, he succeeded in angering David Moyes.
The theatre impresario appeared to shift responsibility for Rooney's imminent departure on to his manager by stating: "Whatever happens with a sale, if it happens, the manager makes all the decisions about the players at our football club."
That has left Moyes understandably perplexed, his mood only marginally improved by confirmation from his board that the chairman and his fellow director, Jon Woods, had secured around £7 million in short-term investment which is available to be spent ahead of the closure of the transfer window next Tuesday.
Some £1.5 million of that was spent on Liverpool's Djimi Traore yesterday. Negotiations continue with the same club over Steve Finnan, though his wages may scupper a £2 million move.
It is unlikely, however, any further additions to the Everton squad will be enough to persuade the disaffected Rooney to stay.
United feel that £20 million is a suitable price to reflect the 18-year-old's talents, basing that valuation on the £12.24 million they spent on Cristiano Ronaldo last summer.
They may be willing to offer a player on top of that amount, most likely David Bellion, though they are aware that Rooney is agitating for a transfer to Old Trafford and his value will continue to drop should he remain at Everton without signing his proposed new five-year contract.
In the meantime, Everton are braced for Newcastle to up their latest offer for Rooney, which might persuade United to do likewise. The north-east club believe they can prise Rooney out of Alex Ferguson's clutches and their chairman Freddy Shepherd met Kenwright on Wednesday.
Indeed their bids, while falling short in overall value, will have appealed to Everton in that the bulk of the transfer fee proposed would have been paid up front.
