The world and its mother seemed to think this morning that Chelsea had made a £10m + Juan Mata or David Luiz offer for Wayne Rooney. But Chelsea's statement this lunchtime, which confirms that they made a formal offer for Rooney, categorically states that there were no players offered in exchange:
'For avoidance of doubt and contrary to what is currently being briefed to the press in Sydney, the proposed purchase price does not include the transfer or loan of any players from Chelsea to Manchester United.'
So where did the whole Mata/Luiz story come from? Scottish journalist Graham Ruthven has the mother of all theories:
Not really sure why journalists are getting flack for this Mata/Luiz for Rooney story. CFC say in statement they were briefed by MUFC.
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 17, 2013
Of course you can't go printing everything a club tells you but I'm quite sure journalists had sources with CFC telling them a bid had been
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 17, 2013
lodged. Couple that with briefing from MUFC backing up report of a bid being made and explaining the terms, and you have a story.
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 17, 2013
Is it in MUFC's interest to unsettle Mata/Luiz, considering both are said to be Barca targets? Their arrival at FCB could release Fabregas.
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) July 17, 2013
So United feed out the Mata and Luiz rumour in a hope that it will unsettle them and they'll move to Barcelona, which will then help United in their quest to sign Cesc Fabregas? ... My head hurts.
