Transfer news: Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney 'open to Arsenal move' if Chelsea deal falters

The striker is angling for a switch away from Old Trafford

Wayne Rooney (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney would consider a move to Arsenal according to reports.

It is becoming increasingly likely that the Gunners will join Chelsea in pursuing the England international - and manager Arsene Wenger will be buoyed by the claims that Rooney would be open to moving to the Emirates.

It emerged at the end of last season that Rooney was eager to move away from Manchester United, with outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson claiming the 27-year-old had asked for a transfer.

So far, Chelsea are the only club known to have made an official bid. The offer from Stamford Bridge, thought to be in the region of £25m, was immediately rejected at Old Trafford.

Chelsea are expected to return with an improved bid, but they could now face competition from Arsenal.

Wenger has seen Gonzalo Higuain slip through his fingers already this summer, and a £40m bid for Luis Suarez has not been enough to convince Liverpool to sell. A similar sized bid for Rooney could tempt Manchester United to do away with their No 10.

Rooney is understood to have made Chelsea his preferred destination, but United are particularly reluctant to sell to Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who are considered a more direct threat to their ambitions of retaining their Premier League title.