Soccer Star Rooney Given 48 Hours to Decide on Chelsea Transfer

Superstar striker said to be upset at being United's "second choice"

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Alex Livesey / Getty Images

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United is challenged by Frank Lampard of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on August 26, 2013 in Manchester, England

It’s been one of the summer’s biggest soccer sagas, but now Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney 48 hours (or until the end of Wednesday) to decide if he wants to transfer to the Blues. Both teams are top ranked in England’s Premier League.

Mourinho has made clear that it was Rooney who initiated interest in a transfer. Although Manchester United manager David Moyes has reiterated all summer long to the media that Rooney is not for sale, this comment last month reportedly left the 27-year-old “angry and confused,” implying that he was second best to teammate Robin van Persie.

Mourinho said in a BBC interview on July 16 that he was concerned about the lack of playing time that Rooney is getting at Manchester United: “If Wayne is a second choice for Manchester United, then the national team will be affected.”

This news of Mourinho’s deadline comes hot on the heels of a goalless stalemate game between the two teams on Monday.