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Gossip: Man Utd 'struggling to sell Rooney', PSG 'launch £60m Aguero bid', Arsenal 'close in on £44m Lacazette'

Rooney, Lacazette and Aguero - who's wanted most?
Rooney, Lacazette and Aguero – who’s wanted most?

Here’s a deal for you. I can offer you this fantastic striker, absolutely world class he is. Well, was. Admittedly he’s been on the slide for about three years now, and last season he only scored five league goals in 25 appearances. But to be fair he did play some of that in midfield. Did I mention that he’s not really effective as a striker anymore because he’s slowed down considerably in his old age?

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Although he’s not even that old – only 31. Not one of those fitness freaks. you know. Anyway, he’s yours for just £300,000 a week! (Plus obviously his signing-on fee, which would be quite large too. Any my fee, which would also be quite large. Oh, and his transfer fee.) What do ya reckon?? No? Oh OK, that’s fine. YOUR LOSS. (Idiots…)

This is the basic gist of the conversations Wayne Rooney’s agent has been having with various club chairmen this summer, according to the Mirror, which reports that the Manchester United captain is “struggling” to find a new club.

Potential suitors are unwilling to meet Rooney’s wage demands or transfer fee. Even in China, where the Beijing government’s new 100 per cent tax on foreign signings has curbed the spending power of Shanghai SIPG and friends.

Wazza is not keen to take a pay cut on the exorbitant deal he signed when he was still good, while the Red Devils are apparently not willing to fund a “cut-price exit” – either by selling him on the cheap or subsidising his wages.

All of which increases the likelihood that Rooney will choose to stay at Old Trafford and see out his contract. Although with Jose Mourinho being left frustrated in his pursuit of Antoine Griezmann, Romelu Lukaku, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata, that could be just perfect.

Arsenal exodus

Morata is reportedly keen to move to Old Trafford, but the Express says United are yet to agree a fee with Real Madrid, whose manager Zinedine Zidane has been trying to convince the player to stay.

Manchester’s second most-famous striker, Sergio Aguero, could end up leaving the city before Rooney does. The Times says Paris Saint-Germain are “preparing” a bid “in excess of £60m” for the Man City legend.

Although manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that the Argentine will remain at the Etihad next season, the broadsheet claims the player is “ambivalent” about staying since he was replaced up front by a younger, hotter model in Gabriel Jesus.

Meanwhile, Arsenal hope to finally tie up the signing of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after lodging a £44m bid that would make him the club’s record purchase (Guardian). The Frenchman originally wanted to join Atletico Madrid, but they were hit with a transfer ban so he may be forced to settle for a move to a Europa League-level club.

Elsewhere, the Gunners are ready to sell Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool for £25m as part of an nine-player “exodus” from the Emirates (Independent), Man Utd may try to sign Renato Sanches for a second summer running after Bayern Munich slashed his price tag to £23m (Mirror) and Brighton are the “first team” to make a bid for Stewart Downing after Middlesbrough agreed to let the former England winger leave (Sun). The first, and maybe the last?

@darlingkevin