Chelsea Transfer News: David Moyes Smart Not to Sell Wayne Rooney to Rival

Chelsea have been pushing furiously to acquire Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, but it’s beginning to look like the Blues may have to cut their losses and walk away.

Rooney’s discontent at Old Trafford has been well-documented, but he remains on the Red Devils roster with no indication he will be sold. As quoted by The Sun, Bobby Charlton expects Rooney to remain with United next term:

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We are not silly enough to make any rash decisions. I don’t like losing really good players and he is a really, really good player. I was hoping one day that he might score as many goals as I had and that would have been really nice if it was at our club – and I’m still thinking that way.

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One of those “rash decision” might entail selling Rooney to a rival Premier League club like Chelsea—something Old Trafford boss David Moyes apparently won’t let happen, per Simon Mullock of the Daily Mirror:

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Wayne Rooney will not be allowed to join one of Manchester United’s rivals for the Premier League title.

Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and fellow Londoners Arsenal have both had offers for the England striker rejected after United boss David Moyes insisted that Rooney is not available at any price.

But Sunday Mirror Sport ­understands that the champions will sell the 27-year-old – if he agrees to move abroad.

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If true, that’s an extremely smart decision on the part of Moyes and United. Rooney is a terrific footballer who can continue to thrive in the Premier League, especially with a team like Chelsea.

The Blues have tons of young talent and a new manager who is capable of molding that talent into a contender. As it stands, much of the roster is still developing, but a veteran scorer like Rooney would almost certainly take the Blues over the top.

Jose Mourinho understands that, and while he has been mum on the prospects of adding another striker like Rooney in favor of lauding his young talent, there’s no denying the appeal of acquiring a player of Rooney’s caliber.

For United, selling Rooney seems almost certain, despite indications otherwise. The 27-year-old wasn’t pleased with playing second fiddle to Robin van Persie last term. Moyes has already indicated Rooney will be his second option behind van Persie, via Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail:

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Overall my thought on Wayne is that if for any reason we get an injury to Robin van Persie we are going to need him. Wayne has a major role to play because we need to try and get him as many goals as we possibly can. Wayne can play up-top, I think he can play dropped in.

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Rooney has little leverage considering United’s unwillingness to sell him, but if the striker truly just wants out at Old Trafford, the Red Devils may find a way to move him and avoid the problematic effects of retaining an unhappy star.

Therein lies the problem, however. Rooney wants out, and United aren’t ready to deal him to the first bidder prepared to end the unrest and quell the discontent.

For Chelsea, that means potentially missing out on their top transfer target and a player who can put them firmly in contention for the EPL title next term.

As much as Chelsea and their supporters would love to see Rooney in blue this year, it’s smart of Moyes to avoid selling him to a Premier League rival capable of usurping his club. Were Rooney to make a departure to Stamford Bridge, that could very well happen this term.