Manchester United have rejected a second bid from Premier League rivals Chelsea for unsettled England forward Wayne Rooney, United confirmed on Monday.
Chelsea made an offer thought to be around £25 million ($38.5 million) but it was immediately rejected.
A United spokesman said: “A bid was received yesterday and immediately rejected. Our position remains that he is not for sale.”
The second bid and United’s swift response could prompt Rooney to hand in an official transfer request.
New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made the 27-year-old his top transfer target, but United have had trouble signing other players this summer and have been frustrated by their pursuit of Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.
United’s new manager David Moyes has repeatedly stressed that Rooney is not for sale. Rooney himself is believed to have been unhappy at Moyes’ remarks that he would effectively have to be understudy to main striker Robin van Persie.
Jose’s men down AC Milan
In East Rutherford, United States, goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Andre Schuerlle lifted Chelsea to a 2-0 victory over AC Milan on Sunday and set up a match for manager Jose Mourinho against former club Real Madrid.
Mourinho, who left Real Madrid two months ago to return to the London club, and Chelsea will face off against 32-time Spanish champions Real Madrid on Wednesday in Miami’s Sun Life Stadium for the inaugural title in the International Champions Cup, an eight-team friendly tournament.