Wenger Turns to Wayne Rooney after Luis Suarez Bid Fails - Report

Arsenal have renewed interest in signing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, after reports Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has apologised to Brendan Rodgers and returned to first team training.

However, the former Ajax star is banned for the first six games of the new season, following a lengthy ban last season for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the north London earlier this summer but despite a bid in excess of £40m, the Reds have remained insistent that last-season's top goal scorer will remain with the club.

The Mirror reports the Gunners have now made an enquiry after Rooney, who is tracked by Premier League title rivals Chelsea. United are believed to be as reluctant to sell Rooney as Liverpool are Suarez.

The Blues remain favourites to sign the former Everton youngster and have had two bids rejected. Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Stamford Bridge is looking at only Rooney this summer. The entry of Arsenal in this race is likely to complicate matters, with the two London clubs eager for a big name signing this summer.

Chelsea have Spaniard Fernando Torres, Senegalese Demba Ba and Belgian Romelu Lukaku as first choice strikers and the young Belgian has impressed in pre-season. Torres' continues to misfire in west London but Mourinho has said he is confident of tweaking the system to get the best out of the former Liverpool star.

Arsene Wenger has Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski as first choice strikers, although the German is normally deployed out wide on the left. England international Theo Walcott is also an option up front but despite his desire to play as a central striker he remains a wide player. A new option up front, to replace Robin van Persie as the primary goal scorer, was strongly suggested earlier in the window, with reports linking former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Rooney is believed to be more interested in moving to Stamford Bridge but remains open to the idea of playing in north London. The latter could be of benefit to the England national team, as it will see Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rooney all play together.