Wayne Rooney has revealed Everton tried to push him to sign for Chelsea before his £27million move to Manchester United in 2004 because they were the side offering the most money.
The then 18-year-old was one of English football's hottest prospects after starring for Everton that season and also scoring four times at Euro 2004, with Newcastle joining the Blues and United in the bidding for his services.
Rooney - who would go on to become United's record goalscorer with 253 goals for the club - broke a bone in his foot in the defeat to Portugal at the tournament and was ruled out for a month, but that did not stop interest mounting.
Now speaking to the UTD podcast, he has revealed that the cash-strapped Toffees were pushing him to move to Stamford Bridge, where Jose Mourinho had just taken over, but his heart was set on a move to Sir Alex Ferguson's side once he heard of United's interest before Euro 2004.
'I knew it [joining United] was an option before Euro 2004,' Rooney said.
'I knew Manchester United wanted to sign me. I think going to the Euros, and doing well there, probably added a bit more money onto the transfer fee but I broke my foot and found out a few things.
'Everton were really struggling for money at the time and I found out they were listening to offers from people as well. They were trying to push me to sign for Chelsea because they were going to pay the most money.
'But, once I knew United were interested, I wanted some confirmation that they did want to sign me. Once I knew they did want to sign me, it was the only club [for me].'
United had already signed Alan Smith from Leeds that summer and the initial plan was to bring Rooney to the club the following summer.
But Rooney has revealed that he considered spending one season at St James' Park under Sir Bobby Robson before United came in and got their man on transfer-deadline day.
'It was a perfect fit for me. United actually wanted to wait a year, until the following year, but then Newcastle came into talks with Everton and with myself.
'I'd gone too far then. I couldn't wait another year, I couldn't stay another year at Everton, so I was prepared to go to Newcastle for that year.
'I spoke to them, we spoke about the salary and what I wanted. [I told them if] I went there and Manchester United came in, they'd have to let me go.
'Newcastle were agreeing to that but obviously, with United, I went back to them and said, if you don't do it now, I'll go to Newcastle with a clause in place. United obviously didn't want me to go there so I came here.
'It was basically whatever Newcastle paid for me, United would have paid a year later.'
Rooney would go on to enjoy a stellar career at Old Trafford, with the current Derby manager winning five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League with the club.
