David Moyes expects to find out within 24 hours whether his ambitious bid to sign Cesc Fabregas will succeed but is adamant he will not sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea.
Although Manchester United have had a £26million bid rejected by Barcelona, their executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has left the club’s tour of Australia early to fly to Spain for talks over the former Arsenal captain.
It is likely to take an offer of around £35m to convince Barcelona to sell but the presence of Woodward in Spain reveals United’s confidence that an agreement could be made.
United boss Moyes said: “As far as players are concerned, we’re looking to bring some in and we’re working hard to do that. We’re trying very hard to make some additions and, hopefully, we’ll have some good news in the not too distance future.
“I couldn’t tell you exactly where we are with that [Fabregas]. I am in contact with the chief executive, who has been dealing with it just now. Hopefully, I’ll know a bit more in the next day.”
Standard Sport revealed in May that United wanted Fabregas as Moyes and Woodward want to make a statement in the transfer market, having replaced Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill respectively this summer.
They have not been put off by comments from Fabregas last month, or by Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova this week, that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp.
Nor are they perturbed by Arsenal having first option to buy back the midfielder as a result of a clause in the £35m deal which saw him leave Emirates Stadium in 2011.
United remain convinced that Fabregas is prepared to consider a return to the Premier League and that the presence of his close friend and former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie at Old Trafford can help them succeed.
Read More
As things stand, it looks unlikely that Arsenal will make a move for the midfielder, as their priority at the moment is to sign a quality striker, with Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Rooney top of their wish‑list.
Rooney is understood to want to join Chelsea but Moyes still insists the England international will not go to Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United have rejected a bid of around £27m from Chelsea and told the Blues not to make another offer.
Moyes said: “The club’s position on Wayne Rooney is there’s no change to that.”
It is believed the club will not change their mind even if the 27‑year-old hands in a transfer request. Rooney admitted he was “angry and upset” by comments made by Moyes last weekend which suggested he was seen as a back-up to Van Persie.
Tensions between the two clubs are still riding high after Chelsea accused United of deliberately leaking wrong information about their offer, suggesting that David Luiz or Juan Mata would go to Old Trafford in part exchange.
