Robson says Newcastle interest in Rooney is real after £20m bid

NEWCASTLE boss Bobby Robson has insisted his club’s interest in Wayne Rooney is genuine amid talk of conspiracy theories.

The 71-year-old confirmed for the first time that United are chasing the teenager’s signature after seeing a £20m bid turned down by Everton.

He said little else, however, other than to add that chairman Freddy Shepherd’s offer remains on the table as suggestions of an unlikely alliance between the Magpies and Manchester United surfaced.

“All I can tell you is that I can just confirm what the chairman has confirmed, the club have made a £20m cash offer for Wayne Rooney. I understand it’s been rejected, but I also understand that the chairman has left the bid on the table,” said Robson.

The news of United’s approach was as outlandish as claims last week that Real Madrid were preparing a bid for defender Jonathan Woodgate. However, that move did go through within days and United are hoping to re-invest their £13.4m and more swiftly.

Their move for Rooney, however, is in addition to their efforts to replace the England defender, and work is continuing on both fronts as next week’s transfer deadline approaches.

But Newcastle have angrily denied rumours they have tabled their bid in an effort to spark a bidding war which will accelerate the striker’s arrival at Old Trafford with John O’Shea crossing the Pennines for Tyneside to assume Woodgate’s mantle.

In the meantime, United will concentrate their efforts on attempting to add to the lone point they have collected from their two Premiership games to date when promoted Norwich arrive at St James’ Park tonight.

United welcome midfielder Lee Bowyer back to the squad after his bout of conjunctivitis although he is short of match fitness. Titus Bramble and Darren Ambrose both remain on the casualty list.

Norwich welcome Malky Mackay and Youssef Safri back to the squad after injury. Paul McVeigh is likely to come in for Mattias Jonson on the left while Gary Doherty could start up front in place of Mathias Svensson.