Derby takeover: Boxes of Sports Direct mugs seen in boot of Rooney’s car ​

Preparing for life at SportsDirect.com Pride Park?

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has been spotted leaving the club’s training complex earlier today with a car boot full of Sports Direct mugs, adding fuel to the fire that the Rams are on the brink of being bought by Mike Ashley.

Having recently left his position as owner of Newcastle United, the billionaire entrepreneur is understood to be keen to get back into the football world and believes working alongside Rooney would fit snugger than a Karrimor walking boot on your uncle’s hike around the Lake District, both on and off the pitch.

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“Mike loves Wayne and thinks he’s the right man to lead Derby County back to the Premier League. He also believes he’s the perfect lad to get on the p*ss with after the game – and a future manager of a Sports Direct store if things go tits up at Derby,” said a source.

“Wayne’s already flogging some of his gear at car boot sales on the weekend. He’s been knocking out mugs, exercise mats and a load of Slazenger training tops down the Wirral on a Sunday morning and as far as I know, he’s cleaning up.

“Last week he made over a grand selling Golddigga and USA Pro leggings outside of a local nursery group.

“I don’t know how the operation works exactly, but I know both Mike and Wayne are very happy at this moment in time.”

Paddy Power News contacted Derby County regarding speculation surrounding a takeover, as well as news that Rooney is moonlighting as a sales agent for Sports Direct, who has this to say.

Wayne Rooney

“Before we start, we would like to state that the most important thing for everybody to acknowledge is that if we hadn’t been docked points, we’d be above Nottingham Forest.

“With the above in mind, we have no reason to believe Wayne’s sales job has any impact on his managerial abilities.

“Wayne could give 5% for us, or 100% for us, and we would still be bottom of the league.”

“Plus, if we are happy to breeze past tabloid tittle-tattle, we can certainly turn a blind eye to him making a few quid on the side. Good for him we say.

“As for Mike Ashley, he is welcome to buy the club but under no circumstances is he to bring Steve Bruce, Jonjo Shelvey or Joelinton with him.”

**Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 100% fake news. And that’s the truth.**

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