It is old news now that Rooney wants to leave Manchester United. The striker’s desire to quit Old Trafford surfaced as soon as outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson announced his plans to retire at the end of the season. The news of Rooney’s unsettlement rocked the club, and rumors have been circling over his future ever since.
Rooney does not wish to go abroad, and it is almost certain that he will not be going across town to join Manchester City, which leave Chelsea and Arsenal as his only possible destinations. Given Chelsea’s financial position and their ability to maintain a high wage ceiling, it was heavily touted that the 27-year old will swap the red of United for the blue of Chelsea. However, Chelsea will not have it so easy as Dailymail reports that Arsenal too are seriously considering making an audacious bid for him.
Wenger has not been able to spend huge amounts of money on wages and transfers in recent years, given their switch to the Emirates Stadium which piled up a mountain of debt to clear, but this summer looks like one of change as the Gunners have reduced their loans considerably and have struck huge sponsorship deals with Fly Emirates and Puma, and the club is poised for a huge infusion of cash.
The injection of money is expected to leave Wenger with a huge £70 million war chest which he can readily use for transfers. Though Rooney will reportedly come for no more than £30 million given he has just 2 years left on his current contract, the major problem arises in Arsenal’s current wage structure.
Where Rooney is earning £250,000 per week at United, Arsenal’s highest earners are Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott at around £100,000 per week. However, the Gunners are now thought to be raising their wage cap considerably and making Rooney the club’s all-time leading earner by offering a long-term contract of 5 years along with a salary offer of roughly £200,000 per week.
Rooney’s possible move to Arsenal could spell an irony of sorts, as Arsenal will simply be giving United a taste of their own medicine, after they snatched Arsenal’s main player Robin van Persie last season. Do you see this sensational move materializing?