Stoke chief responds to Wayne Rooney transfer links

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes has opened up on suggestions that his club want to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United this summer.

The United skipper is expected to end his 13-year association with the club this season, having become their highest-scoring player in their 139-year history earlier this year after notching a stoppage-time free-kick during an 1-1 draw at Stoke for his 250th goal.

Rooney has endured a difficult season at Old Trafford, where he has slipped way down Jose Mourinho’s pecking order and with the club expected to bring in additional firepower this summer, his days at the club appear to be numbered.

Stoke and Everton have both been strongly linked, with their remains interest in the player from China and the United States.

But responding to claims Stoke were closing on a deal, Scholes has dismissed the rumours out of hand.

“What I can’t do is shed any light on where the rumours have come from,” he told the Stoke Sentinel. “That happens at this time of year.

“We have some speculation, some of it is based upon some truth, no smoke without fire, but other times you get wild speculation, and the Wayne Rooney one falls into the latter category.”