Chelsea prepares third bid for want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney

José Mourinho is refusing to relent in his pursuit of Wayne Rooney. The Chelsea manager has already had two bids – the latest believed to be in the region of £25m – rejected by Manchester United for the unsettled forward, with David Moyes stressing the 27-year-old will not be sold.

But, with Rooney understood to be angry with Moyes's stance and ready to leave the Premier League champions, Mourinho knows there is enough discontent to keep alive his hope of bringing the England forward to Stamford Bridge.

Rooney's advisers are fully aware of the Portuguese's intentions and if, as expected, the striker hands in a transfer request within the next week, that will encourage a third Chelsea bid to test United's resolve further.