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Sports Direct apologise for false story linking Newcastle with move for Wayne Rooney
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S former sponsors Sports Direct were forced to apologise yesterday after admitting a story ran on their news website linking the club with a bid for want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was false.
Yesterday afternoon, sportsdirectnews.com published an article stating that Rooney was a target for Newcastle, despite recent reports suggesting incoming Manchester United manager David Moyes was set to try and persuade him to stay.
The retail company - who are owned by Newcastle chief Mike Ashley - claimed that the Magpies were preparing a 'shock bid' for the 27-year-old and that Rooney's agent had already been sounded out over a potential move.
The story continued by saying Rooney was seen as a perfect transfer candidate by Newcastle, who would relate to the fans and be a massive boost to the club's commercial success.
However, Sports Direct were moved to issue a public apology to Rooney and the agency Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group 'for publishing the article "Newcastle in shock Rooney bid", which was formulated without authority, merit and is untrue'.
Sceptics were quick to identify the story as false when it first appeared, and the clarification on the news site suggests the article was a publicity stunt in order to draw more traffic in terms of user hits.
Newcastle were heavily linked with a move for Rooney back in 2004 when he left Everton - bidding £20 million for him - although the Red Devils eventually won the race to sign the Merseyside-born prodigy for nearly £30m.
Ashley may have been behind the stunt, having rebranded St James' Park the Sports Direct Arena in November 2011, although payday loan company Wonga.com took over commercial and stadium naming rights last year and returned the venue to its original name.