Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was never prepared to compete for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney last week.

The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea's billionaire owner would only entertain entering the bidding for the 25-year-old England marksman if he ran down the remaining 18 months of his contract to become a free agent.

Chelsea have ­tightened the purse strings at Stamford Bridge ruling out signings over £20million pound or sanctioning the payment of wages beyond £80,000 a week for top end players.

A senior Chelsea source who is close to Abramovich said: "There is no disputing that an in-form Rooney is one of the best players in world football.

"But as many predicted he has remained at Manchester United for the foreseeable future so it's not an issue we have to address.

"However, contrary to widespread claims there was absolutely no chance of Mr Abramovich sanctioning a move for the player at this stage even if he had made good on his threat to leave United.

"Unless the player had ­become a free agent the money required to sanction such a move would have ­undermined everything Chelsea are currently trying to achieve."