Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - Arsenal FC Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Arsenal have made a £20million bid for Wayne Rooney.

The Gunners have fired the first shots in a bidding war that is sure to spark a ­response from ­Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho has Rooney at the top of his ­Chelsea wish-list, and is ­expected to make a ­counter-bid in an effort to beat Arsene Wenger to the 27-year-old’s signature.

But senior United sources last night insisted that ­Rooney is not for sale.

New United boss David Moyes will meet Rooney this week to discuss the Arsenal bid and his future. United decide whether to sell Rooney to a Premier League rival - or hope that clubs like Paris St Germain and Monaco make a bid.

Rooney has two years left on his £250,000-a-week deal and any new offer would have to include a testimonial given that he is approaching a decade of service with the champions.

But first Rooney wants assurances from Moyes about his role in the United team.

(Image: Paul Thomas)

Rooney refutes Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that he asked for a transfer towards the end of last season.

He did voice his frustration to Ferguson about being instructed to operate in a variety of positions following Robin van Persie’s arrival at the club.

And he was also angry about suggestions that he had allowed his physical condition to drop.

Moyes is still to meet the player he gave an Everton debut to at the age of 16 to talk about his future.

But those negotiations will begin this week and Arsenal’s opening gambit will add to an already potentially explosive mix.

The Gunners are also eyeing Fernando Torres as a potential strike partner for Higuain.

poll loading Who would you rather sign? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Torres Rooney

***Arsenal have failed with a £6million bid for Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is understood to have dismissed Arsenal’s opening offer as ‘disrespectful’. Grenier only has a year remaining on his contract.