4:57pm Wednesday 15th May 2013
By Scott Wilson
NEWCASTLE United have rubbished an internet story linking them with a possible move for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
The report, which appeared on sportdirectnews.com this afternoon, suggested Magpies officials had already "sounded out" Rooney's representatives about a summer move for the 27-year-old.
The fact the website carrying the story has links to Sports Direct, the company owned by Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, appeared to give it credence.
However, Sports Direct merely have a branding agreement with the website, which is a completely different business organisation.
Senior Newcastle sources have comprehensively rubbished the claims, which have absolutely no substance.
Quite aside from the issue of a transfer fee, which would be around £25m, there is no chance of Newcastle matching Rooney's current wages at Manchester United, which are believed to be more than £150,000-a-week.
Newcastle came close to signing Rooney when he left Everton, only for the England international to choose to move to Old Trafford instead.
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