Gossip: Stoke’s £45m bid for Rooney, Barkley to West Ham

Matt Stead

ON THE WAYNE
Wayne Rooney has openly stated that he will only ever play for two Premier League clubs: Everton and Manchester United. Stoke probably need something more than a struggling 31-year-old in order to improve their fortunes. Wayne Rooney to Stoke it is.

The claim comes from The Sunday People, who report that the Potters will receive ‘the backing of their sponsors Bet365’ in order to fund a move.

Rooney is thought to be considering approaches from China and the United States, while Everton have long been linked with a move for their former player.

However, Mark Hughes is keen to bring Rooney to the Britannia Stadium, and ‘a £45million package’ could tempt the striker to change his mind.

‘They could easily afford to bankroll a Rooney move and exploit the star’s commercial appeal through that worldwide fanbase,’ the report says. Sorry, but we just can’t see this at all.

 

BARKING MAD
Speaking of transfers that we cannot envisage concerning supremely talented England internationals who have been vaunted since a young age, Ross Barkley to West Ham. Sure.

According to the Daily Star, the Hammers are willing to meet Barkley’s wage demands of £140,000 a week, thereby more than doubling his current wage at Everton.

The Toffees are reluctant to meet Barkley’s wishes, with Tottenham ‘setting the pace in the race’ for the 23-year-old thus far.

We look forward to West Ham not only offering the midfielder £140,000 a week, but also meeting Everton’s supposed valuation, as claimed by the Star, of £50m.

 

OH, MENDY
Liverpool will rival both Manchester clubs for the signature of Monaco full-back Benjamin Mendy.

RMC Sport in France bring us this transfer offering, rehashed by the Liverpool Echo, which claims that the Reds are interested in the left-back. Considering James Milner has just finished a full season in that position, that’s more than understandable.

The problem is that both Manchesters City and United also want the Frenchman, and are willing to spend up to £39million to sign him.

 

AND THE REST
With speculation continuing over their pursuit of 26-year-old Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, United could also move for another striker – Torino’s Andrea Belotti, 23…Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in Italy international Belotti, who could cost £85m…Pep Guardiola is facing pressure from City’s owners to bring back Joe Hart after the 30-year-old’s season-long loan at Torino…Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in signing Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, 20, but face competition from AC Milan…Tottenham and Everton both want Hull City defender Harry Maguire, 24…Valencia have given up on keeping Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala, 26, with City not willing to accept an offer of below the £15.7m option in his loan contract.