Manchester United have confirmed they have made a bid for Everton striker Wayne Rooney.
The offer is believed to be £20million, which would match Newcastle's bid for the 18-year-old England striker.
United are waiting for a response from their Barclays Premiership rivals.
A Manchester United spokesman said tonight: 'I can confirm we have made an official bid for Wayne Rooney - and we have not had a response yet.'
And boss Alex Ferguson added on MUTV soon after: 'We've made a bid today - he's a fabulous player, he showed that at Euro 2004 - and is a young player.
'He's not the finished article yet, but we've got experience of bringing young players to the club and bringing them on.'
Everton have rejected the bid after doing likewise with Newcastle's offer of the same amount.
The news may now prompt Newcastle to up their current offer of #20million for Rooney.
Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd had said earlier today he was willing to let time wind down as the closure of the transfer window approaches.
He said: 'We have made our offer to Everton Football Club and it is still on the table as far as we are concerned.
'There is still plenty of time before the transfer window closes and Everton can pick up our offer any time they want to.'
Shepherd has proved himself a tough negotiator in the recent past, although he may need all his powers of persuasion this time around if he is to prise 18-year-old Rooney away from the Toffees - particularly with United's interest now confirmed.
Everton insisted today that there had been no increased bid for the player and manager David Moyes is adamant no club will get him at a reduced price, if at all.
'We don't want to lose Wayne, but if we do, the only way is at the top price and the value we want,' he said.
'I would like to quote Bobby Robson's words: `You're talking about buying the most exciting, brilliant young player in Europe'.
'If that is what Sir Bobby thinks, then he's got to pay the most exciting and brilliant price because his current valuation is well short.
'Didier Drogba went to Chelsea for #24million, so Wayne's price should be well more than that. He's English and if you want to buy English, you have to pay a higher premium.'
But with time running down to Tuesday's deadline, it could come down to whose nerve holds longest with the Rooney camp yet to speak publicly about the bids.
The offer is believed to be £20million, which would match Newcastle's bid for the 18-year-old England striker.
United are waiting for a response from their Barclays Premiership rivals.
A Manchester United spokesman said tonight: 'I can confirm we have made an official bid for Wayne Rooney - and we have not had a response yet.'
And boss Alex Ferguson added on MUTV soon after: 'We've made a bid today - he's a fabulous player, he showed that at Euro 2004 - and is a young player.
'He's not the finished article yet, but we've got experience of bringing young players to the club and bringing them on.'
Everton have rejected the bid after doing likewise with Newcastle's offer of the same amount.
The news may now prompt Newcastle to up their current offer of #20million for Rooney.
Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd had said earlier today he was willing to let time wind down as the closure of the transfer window approaches.
He said: 'We have made our offer to Everton Football Club and it is still on the table as far as we are concerned.
'There is still plenty of time before the transfer window closes and Everton can pick up our offer any time they want to.'
Shepherd has proved himself a tough negotiator in the recent past, although he may need all his powers of persuasion this time around if he is to prise 18-year-old Rooney away from the Toffees - particularly with United's interest now confirmed.
Everton insisted today that there had been no increased bid for the player and manager David Moyes is adamant no club will get him at a reduced price, if at all.
'We don't want to lose Wayne, but if we do, the only way is at the top price and the value we want,' he said.
'I would like to quote Bobby Robson's words: `You're talking about buying the most exciting, brilliant young player in Europe'.
'If that is what Sir Bobby thinks, then he's got to pay the most exciting and brilliant price because his current valuation is well short.
'Didier Drogba went to Chelsea for #24million, so Wayne's price should be well more than that. He's English and if you want to buy English, you have to pay a higher premium.'
But with time running down to Tuesday's deadline, it could come down to whose nerve holds longest with the Rooney camp yet to speak publicly about the bids.
