Wayne Rooney has dismissed rumors that Birmingham City are interested in signing former Inter Miami striker Josef Martinez.
Speaking to the press via Goal, the former DC United manager shot down the idea that the Championship side are looking at the Venezuelan international as a potential signing.
Martinez was released by Inter Miami at the end of the 2023 league season, with a move to England now potentially on the cards for the modern-day MLS icon.
And Birmingham could be a destination, with Rooney’s links to MLS coupled with the Blues’ American owners, which include NFL legend Tom Brady, make the Championship side an obvious candidate.
However, Rooney has now dismissed the idea that Birmingham are signing Martinez, with the former DC manager saying: “My honest answer is that’s the first I’ve heard.
“Obviously I have sat down with the recruiting team and there are plans in place. I know him very well as a player, obviously playing in the MLS but that’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Martinez can do better than Birmingham after Inter Miami exit
Having established himself as one of the best goalscorers in MLS history, the time is now for Martinez to try a challenge in soccer.
However, whilst England could be tempting, Birmingham as a club could be a poor choice for the former Inter Miami superstar, even with a figure like Rooney in the hot seat.
The Championship side have struggled since the Manchester United legend’s arrival, and Martinez could struggle to adapt to Rooney’s style of play, something Birmingham have already endured.