Manchester United are bracing themselves for a £25 million summer bid from Real Madrid for star striker Wayne Rooney, according to the Telegraph. Although United are determined not to sell Rooney and hold him to the final 18 months of his contract, Real are confident of securing his services come the end of the season. Madrid's interest in the 28-year-old comes as they aborted plants to sign Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, who is their No.1 summer target but is looking increasingly unobtainable. And Rooney's failure to commit himself to United by signing a new contract, as well as the possibility of him linking up again with former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo, instills hope. Aguero remains top of the Spanish giant's wish-list, however his signing of a new contract at the Etihad last season, and City's emergence as a dominant European force, makes a move unlikely. Rooney, Luis Suarez and Radamel Falcao are all being lined up as potential alternatives for the Argentinian, with Real looking to bolster their attacking options. And United could prefer to do business with the Spaniards if they cannot keep hold of Rooney, rather than sell to a domestic rival such as Chelsea, who are also interested. United rejected two bids for the England international from the Blues last summer and face another battle to retain the forward's services this year, with his contract running down.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
