Rooney ready to hand in transfer request after Chelsea have another bid turned down

Wayne Rooney will submit a formal transfer request after Chelsea had a second bid for the striker rejected.

Sportsmail understands the Blues’ new offer was worth in the region of £25million. United had already rejected one bid but Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is in America for the International Champions Cup, is so desperate to make the move happen that club secretary Dave Barnard has stayed in London as part of their negotiating team.

It is understood they will not go higher than £30m for Rooney, who reiterated his determination to quit Old Trafford during crunch talks with United manager David Moyes over the weekend.

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Exit: Wayne Rooney has not changed his stance and wants to quit Manchester United

Finally leaving? Rooney is about to submit a formal transfer request to Manchester United

United’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on August 26 is a delicate issue ahead of his potential transfer, but Rooney’s heart is set on the move and he has told team-mates he does not want to play abroad. 

He played 45 minutes for United in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Real Betis at the weekend and has pledged to fulfil his contractual obligations, which means he is expected to play in Tuesday’s friendly against Swedish club AIK in Stockholm. 

Rooney is citing irreconcilable differences with the club, relating to comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson — now a United director — when he quit in May. 

Ferguson revealed to the United crowd that Rooney wanted to leave.  

Ambitions: Jose Mourinho is keen to add the United striker to his attacking options at Stamford Bridge

Away: Chelsea's staff and players have been in America playing against the two Milan sides

In vain: United boss David Moyes has tried to get Rooney to change his mind and stay

He is prepared to put his wishes in writing before Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial against Sevilla on Friday and will use any backlash from angry United supporters as ammunition in his fight to leave. 

The fans are unlikely to be as forgiving as in 2010, when he questioned the club’s ambitions before signing a new contract. Chelsea are ready to match Rooney’s £240,000-a-week wages and will offer a five-year deal.

United’s Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea on August 26 is a delicate issue ahead of his potential transfer, but Rooney’s heart is set on the move.

Last legs: United have not yet given up hope on completing the deal for Cesc Fabregas

Meanwhile, United’s pursuit of Cesc Fabregas could also come to a head this week. Barcelona are understood to have told Fabregas to state publicly that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp, while the club’s director of football Andoni Zubizarreta claimed last night that United now accept he will not be sold. 

However, Moyes’s interest remains as strong as ever and the United boss is ready to make a third bid of £35m if he receives positive signals from Fabregas’ representatives.