Jose Plots Third Rooney Bid

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says that Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney remains his main transfer target.

However, Mourinho now admits that he does have possible back-up plans in mind if United remain steadfast in their determination to keep the England international.

Chelsea have reportedly had two bids for Rooney turned down already but Mourinho says they are likely to submit another offer before the transfer window closes.

Asked if he had any news on the situation, the Blues boss said: "Nothing has changed and, at a certain point, I agree with what Alan Pardew (Newcastle boss) was saying, that the transfer window goes too far.

"It goes to the third, fourth fixture of the season, which I agree is too much.

"But, at the same time, it gives everyone a chance to be in the market, while we are winning or losing points, and we will be until the last day."

Mourinho then discussed the Rooney bid specifically and pointed out that United are well within their rights to decline any bid, as Chelsea did when Barcelona attempted to purchase Brazilian defender David Luiz.

"We trust a lot in our project for the future because the team is very, very young," he said. "But we have conditions to try and improve our team by bringing in one more player and we are going to try that until the end.

"When you think that you'd like to have one player and the market is open, then official bids are not forbidden. Official bids are always accepted in an ethical way.

"You try because nobody forbids you to try and, of course, the player's owners can do exactly what we did in relation to David Luiz and Barcelona."

Samuel Eto'o, who worked with Mourinho at Inter, is reported to be another possible target for Chelsea.

Asked if he might turn to Eto'o, if Rooney remains at Old Trafford, Mourinho said: "We have a plan B and a plan C! Don't ask me names, because it's difficult to speak about players from other clubs."

While Chelsea continue to monitor Rooney's situation at Old Trafford closely, those inside the United camp are hoping the 27-year-old can be persuaded to extend a nine-year association with the club.

Midfielder Michael Carrick said: "Wayne's a big United player. He's one of us and we all stick together. When we're on the pitch we fight for each other. He's part of that.

"I thought he came on and looked good (against Swansea). He's a real threat.

"He's given this club an awful lot, so the fans support him and we support him."

Rooney appeared as a substitute in the 4-1 win at Swansea, creating goals for Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck, and United boss David Moyes remains happy to have the forward at his disposal.

Moyes said: "He got 65 minutes in the game against Scotland the other day and I felt he could do a job if he came on.

"He's not ready yet physically because he's not done enough training, but he came on and a made a great run for Robin's goal and played in Danny for his goal, so it will be good for Wayne to get those minutes.

"I think people know good players and Wayne is a good player. Everyone wants those players in the team and we are delighted to have Wayne playing."