Wayne Rooney Transfer Rumors: Latest News on the Manchester United Star

Some fans may be surprised to see a weekly update on the Wayne Rooney saga, after new United boss David Moyes announced that his striker was not for sale (via Sky Sports) earlier this week.

However, many people have picked up on the fact that Moyes at no point stated that Rooney wanted to stay with the English champions. As such, we are led to believe that a potential move away from Old Trafford might occur if the England forward is desperate for a way out.

At the same time, there's nothing to suggest that Rooney is looking for a move away anymore.

With no official transfer request ever handed in by the player, and Moyes stating that Wayne will remain in Manchester this season, it looks positive for fans of the Red Devils who wish to keep their leading goal scorer under Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Nevertheless, let's take a look at some of the rumors that have been bouncing around this past week regarding Rooney. 

Heading to Chelsea?

Chelsea have always been one of the favorites to steal Rooney away from United, with new boss Jose Mourinho being a fan of the Liverpudlian for a while now.

Charles Perrin of The Express reports that soon-to-be legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has spoken to Sky Sports about the potential of a swap from the north to the south of England. 

Cech said:

"

I could see him in a Chelsea shirt.

Players can change shirts and obviously he had a fantastic career with Manchester United and sometimes players need new challenges.

Sometimes the consequences are the way that you are looking for the new challenge and change of the shirt.

So if that happened, obviously he is a fantastic player and he will be welcome to our squad but now we are only in the moment of speculation about it so we will see what this week will bring.

He's a great player and you always want to see great players in your team.

"

Cech's words don't really mean a whole lot, but they do indicate the mood in the Chelsea locker room about the rumored transfer.

Joe Bernstein of The Daily Mail is reporting, meanwhile, that Chelsea still wholeheartedly believe that they can bag their man. 

The real question is: Can they? 

Bernstein doubts it can be done for as little as the £20 million suggested. 

Heading to Arsenal?

The Daily Mail's story about Chelsea's belief they can still snag their man for as little as £20 million applies to the Gunners too, who also haven't given up the fight for Rooney just yet.

It would be slightly surprising to see Arsene Wenger's men championing Chelsea in the battle for the 27-year-old, but stranger things have happened in football.

Ace midfielder Jack Wilshere has added his two cents to the matter.

Speaking with Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph, the England International said:

"

If it happens, it would be amazing. Rooney is the type of player who can win you trophies—and just to see his name on the team sheet brings fear to the opposition. We could do with a little more of that.

You look at the type of players like Higuain we are trying to bring in and you have got to be encouraged. I think we need a few more, not to step right into the team, but to add to the squad.

We need our squad to be as deep as United's and (Manchester) City's. They can change their back four completely and still win. If you're going to challenge for trophies, you need a big squad.

"

Whether or not Rooney will join up with his England teammate Wilshere depends heavily on the Gunner's ability to lure the United man to London ahead of nearby rivals Chelsea (assuming he leaves Old Trafford at all).

Arsenal are slowly starting to lose their pedigree as one of England's elite sides, with two successive final day heroics being the only thing that separated them from North London foe Tottenham Hotspur.

The arrival of Higuain should change this, but adding both the Argentinian and Rooney to their squad could genuinely make Arsenal title contenders.  

Heading to Barcelona?

Rooney's former Manchester United teammate, Gerard Pique, has become the second Barca player to speak out in favor of Rooney joining the Spanish champions.

Following in the footsteps of new signing Neymar (Sky Sports), Pique had only good things to say about the man he played with from 2004 to 2008.

Talking to Sport the Spanish centre-back said:

"

I know he has what’s needed to be one of the three best players in the world. He’d fit well with Barcelona.

He can adapt to many positions. He’s best as the centre-forward, but we have seen him on the left or right side.

He is very versatile, strong, fast and has great technique. I don’t think he would have any problems adapting.

"

One has to give credit to Rooney here. It seems like there is at least one spokesman from every top club voicing a desire to sign him.

Whilst a move to one of the two London clubs listed seems far more likely than this, the potential transfer of Thiago Alcantara from Barca to United could work as a gateway for this move.

It is fairly unlikely, however, with Barca already stretching their budget this year to bring the Brazilian wonder-kid in from Santos.

Barca appear to be the only club on the continent still linked with Rooney.

Spanish rivals Real Madrid seem to have all but lost interest in the United star now too, with no buzz at all surrounding the Galacticos and the Scouser.

With the news breaking that PSG are likely to complete the signing of Edinson Cavani sometime this week, it would also rule out the French champions as a possible future location for Wayne.

Staying at United?

When the news broke during Moyes' first press conference as United boss that Rooney was not for sale, I (perhaps naively) took it as read that the striker was staying.

Whilst Moyes didn't explicitly say that Wayne wouldn't leave, a very strong impression was given that this would be the case.

However a lot of people still seem to be under the assumption that Rooney wants out—and will eventually get his wish.

I'm not sure which camp I fall into. But since the press conference (via The Independent), we have had no extra news from the club about whether or not Rooney will be sporting the rather stylish new United kit for the coming campaign.

My gut tells me that Rooney will remain a Manchester United player next season, but I'm aware that that doesn't count for much here.

Moyes, the man with the clearest picture (other than the forward himself) as to whether or not Rooney is staying, had this to say, according to Perrin of The Express:

"

Wayne is not for sale. He's a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player.

I've had several meetings with him. He's training brilliantly well. As far as I'm concerned, the way he's working, I'm more than happy to work with him...

...And I see a glint in his eye now; he looks happy.

"

A positive spin on the situation for the bloodthirsty media members present, or a genuine opinion of the scenario voiced by the new boss?

Who knows. But what we do know is right now, Wayne Rooney is currently still on the books of the Red Devils and hasn't handed in a formal transfer question in writing.

This could be a big week for fans following this story—which I'm assuming is pretty much anyone with half an interest in English football!

Follow me on Twitter: @Eddie_Edmonds