Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted defeat in his bid to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United.
After urging Rooney to make his feelings public about wanting a transfer clear within 48 hours of the end of Chelsea’s game against United at Old Trafford, it seems the wily Portuguese boss went for ‘Plan B’ and signed Samuel E’o’o from Anzi Makhachkala this week.
The 32-year-old Cameroon striker used to play for Mourinho when they were both together at Inter Milan and the Chelsea boss finally closed the door on his attempts to sign Rooney.
“For all parties it’s finished. It’s his life and we must respect the decision.” admitted Mourinho.
Although Eto’o didn’t play in Chelsea’s Euro Supercup defeat against Bayern Munich tonight Eto’o is expected to feature heavily in Chelsea’s campaign this season along with fellow new attacking midfield signing Willian.
Manchester United boss David Moyes today declared that Rooney was “mentally in good shape” ahead of their weekend Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Moyes remains keen on adding to the United squad before the summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday September 3 but refused to be drawn on reports that a bid for Athletic Bilbao’s 24-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera had been rejected.
“I wouldn’t disclose any names, just let the clubs deal with it and we’ll try and do it in a professional manner,” Moyes said.
United have already reportedly had an improved bid of £36m for Everton’s Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini rejected and Moyes remained tight lipped about United’s transfer dealings.
“It might be busy in the next few days and I hope we do a little bit of business but I couldn’t guarantee that,” he added.