Rooney rejected offer from Beijing Guoan, club's chairman says

Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan failed in its attempt to convince Wayne Rooney to leave Manchester United last summer, according to the club's honourary chairman, Lou Ning.

Representatives from the Asian club met Rooney and his agent, Paul Stretford, shortly before the Premier League season kicked off, but Ning says the United captain turned the offer down, opting to remain with the club he's represented since 2004.

"We indeed made an approach for Rooney at the beginning of the season, but he's informed us that he wants to stay in Manchester United," Ning told a Beijing radio show, as translated by James Dale of Sky Sports.

"Rooney says he'll keep playing in the Premier League as long as his health allows. We even met with his agent."

Rooney's alleged rejection comes after several high-profile players agreed to leave their respective European team to sign lucrative contracts in China.

South American players such as Hulk, Alex Teixeira, Ramires, Jackson Martinez, and Italian forward Graziano Pelle added to the Chinese Super League's star power, pioneering the exodus from some of Europe's top clubs over the past two years.

Rooney, who is under contract until 2019, has struggled this season under new manager Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese coach insists he has a future at the club despite his drop in playing time.

The 31-year-old has also attracted interest from his former club, Everton, as manager Ronald Koeman hinted at a possible move for the out-of-favour forward.

After 10 appearances, Rooney has only managed one goal in the Premier League.