• Premier League

Rooney chase over as Mourinho admits defeat

ESPN staff
August 31, 2013
Chelsea had bids for Wayne Rooney rejected over the summer © Getty Images
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho confirmed that his pursuit of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney is at an end.

And the manager offered a polite snipe at the striker for encouraging Chelsea's lengthy pursuit of his services this summer.

While Mourinho insisted he "respected" Rooney's decision to stay at Old Trafford after two months of speculation linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea boss hinted that he was disgruntled by the chase and suggested was fuelled by the player and his advisers.

"For all parties, it is finished," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "One thing is to tell you through other people that you want, you want, you want very much, but at the end of the day [nothing happens]. Everyone had a right to decide his life his future, so I respect him."

Mourinho went on to confirm that his spending in this transfer window is now complete, after he sealed a deal to sign Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o on Thursday.

"It is the end [of our signings]," he added. "Samuel gives us some other qualities in attack and some experience in a team that need experienced players."

There continues to be speculation that Juan Mata may leave Chelsea in the final hours of the transfer window after he remained on the bench in the UEFA Super Cup defeat against Bayern Munich in Prague on Friday evening.

Mata looked a crestfallen figure as he collected his runners-up medal from UEFA President Michel Platini after the game, with his future at Chelsea still clouded in mystery despite Mourinho's insistence that he has a role to play in the club's future.

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