Everton had bid turned down for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney in January
The Toffees made an audacious attempt to re-sign their former player but United knocked the offer back
EVERTON had a cheeky bid for Manchester United star Wayne Rooney turned down in January.
The Toffees logged an offer for their former player last month only for United to turn the deal away.
Rooney - who will stay at Old Trafford at the end of the season after snubbing a move to China - moved to Old Trafford in 2004 for £27million.
And the ambitious Toffees attempted to lure Roo back to the club where he made his Premier League debut at the age of 16.
England captain Rooney had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in January as Jose Mourinho told him he would not get regular first team football this season.
Rooney was then linked with a mega-money move to China where he could have pocketed £1million-a-week.
Paul Stretford, Rooney's agent, even made two trips to the Far East to try and seal a deal with a Chinese Super League club.
But Rooney released a statement acknowledging clubs' interest but insisted he was happy at United and is staying.
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Rooney said: “Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United.
"I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts. It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it."