Chelsea believe it is a only matter of time before Wayne Rooney is their player, the Mirror reports..

But the Blues are resigned to not landing Rooney in time for him to return to Old Trafford in a Blues shirt on August 26.

Chelsea will table a second bid of £24million this week and feel they can get their man for around £30m.

Jose Mourinho has made Rooney a prime target with the Chelsea board confident the Scouse ace will not wear a United shirt again.

If the Reds are successful in their ongoing quest to land Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona, Chelsea expect United will be able to ‘sell’ his arrival as an ‘upgrade’ to justify the departure of Rooney to SW6.

But United boss David Moyes will not want his first home game as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor to be overshadowed by Rooney’s return to Manchester.

And while Chelsea feel the champions have no option but to sell before the transfer window shuts on September 2, they are willing to have to wait until the final days to get their man.