Rooney was offered to Napoli, claims Italian agent

The 31-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester United and now Vincenzo Morabito insists Jose Mourinho is keen to offload his captain

Posted Saturday, December 17, 2016 by Goal.com

Wayne Rooney was offered to Napoli as the Manchester United captain "doesn't have a good relationship with Jose Mourinho", according to an Italian agent.

Rooney has lost his place in United's starting XI after a string of below-par performances but remains just one goal behind Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time scoring record for the club.

Now Vincenzo Morabito, a well-known intermediary between the Premier League and Serie A, has claimed the 31-year-old could have joined Napoli during the summer,

A move to an English rival was ruled out but the former FIFA agent insists Mourinho is keen to offload the ageing star and make room in his squad, with even a loan move mooted.

"I know for a fact that he was offered to Napoli as he can't go to other English clubs, which could lead him to Spain and Italy," Morabito told Radio CRC.

"He was, I repeat, offered to Napoli. While the idea is beautiful, when you look at his €10 million-a year salary, it isn't realistic.

"He certainly doesn't have a good relationship with Mourinho, and therefore his future is far from United, even on loan, to give them more room."

Rooney started United's last game, a midweek win over Crystal Palace, marking the first time in over a month in the Premier League with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juan Mata and the resurgent Henrikh Mkhitaryan keeping the England skipper out of the team.

Next up for Rooney and Mourinho is Saturday's trip to West Brom as United look to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in the top flight.