WAYNE ROONEY is believed to be close to joining Chelsea in a deal that would net him about £200,000 a week. The striker is determined to leave Manchester United despite an attempt by David Moyes to persuade him to stay. The United manager has held talks with Rooney, seeking to assure him that remarks suggesting the striker figures in his plans merely as a back-up to Robin van Persie were misinterpreted. Moyes also reiterated his determination to block Rooney’s exit.

While the talks were amicable, the striker’s desire to quit United has only hardened in recent days. He is understood to be more upset by the statement from Ed Woodward, United’s chief executive, that the club have no plans to discuss an extension to his