Wayne Rooney completed a £27m switch from Everton to Manchester United in 2004 (Picture: Getty)

Alan Shearer has confirmed that Newcastle tabled an unsuccessful offer to sign Wayne Rooney before the legendary forward joined Manchester United in 2004.

Aged just 16, Rooney burst onto the scene with a sensational last-gasp winner for his boyhood club Everton against Arsenal in the 2002/03 season, bringing the Gunners’ 49-match unbeaten run to a grinding halt.

The striker would go on to establish himself as one of the finest young talents in world football, setting Euro 2004 alight and earning himself a then record £27million move to Old Trafford that summer.

Twelve-and-a-half years later, Rooney cemented his place in United’s history books as he surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton to become the club’s top scorer with 250 goals, later netting three more times before joining MLS outfit DC United in 2018.
But it appears Rooney’s incredible story could have been very different had Newcastle got their way towards the end of Sir Bobby Robson’s tenure at St James’ Park.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Newcastle icon Shearer lifted the lid on his former club’s bid for Rooney when the attacker was still at Everton – though conceded a move was never likely.

Asked whether Newcastle bid for Rooney, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer replied: ‘Yeah, they did.

Newcastle legend Shearer admits a move for Rooney ...