Chelsea defender keen on Rooney move

Chelsea defender David Luiz says everyone at the club would welcome Wayne Rooney with open arms.

The England striker, once a firm favourite with betting fans in the first goalscorer markets with Paddy Power, has appeared to fall down the pecking order at Manchester United in recent months and outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Sunday that the player has now submitted a formal transfer request.

Rumours regarding Rooney’s future have been rife for much of the season after he was substituted in a number of big games early on in the campaign and eventually lost his place in the team.

His displays even drew criticism from the usually loyal Ferguson, who blamed the player’s lifestyle for his fall from grace at Old Trafford.

With the veteran Scot now leaving, you’d think Rooney would have the perfect chance to rebuild both his career and his reputation in Manchester but that may not be the case following his chequered past with incoming boss David Moyes.

Moyes gave the forward his Premier League debut while still a teenager at Everton but things turned sour after the 27-year-old left Goodison Park and in 2008 the coach sued his former protégé for libel over claims made in his autobiography..

Although the pair have somewhat repaired their relationship, it may not be enough and there are sure to be a number of sides queuing up to acquire the former boy wonder.

Chelsea are the latest team to be linked with signing him and he would certainly add an extra element to an already potent offensive unit. Chelsea are 9/4 with Paddy Power in the latest football betting odds to sign the player once he leaves United.

The Blues already possess three of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the game in Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata and defender Luiz believes the striker would be more than welcome at Stamford Bridge.

“Everyone knows about his quality, so if he wants to come to Chelsea why not? I’d be happy with it,” he told reporters.