Rooney’s return to Everton likely to happen
LONDON: Wayne Rooney’s return to boyhood club Everton from Manchester United is “likely to happen” this summer.
According to reports, the Blues are in line to beat any other English Premier League suitors for the striker in what could turn out to be a free transfer.
The Independent claim that a move back to Goodison Park, where he left for Old Trafford in 2004, is the 31-year-old’s first choice.
Speculation mounted on Tuesday that West Ham were considering a swoop to try and entice the veteran to London.
Rooney looks certain to leave United at the end of the season after losing his place under Jose Mourinho, which played a part in his omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week.
It is believed that the club were prepared to allow their all-time top goalscorer to leave for the Chinese Super League in February but the player’s belief that he still had plenty to offer England and in the topflight prevented any deal being agreed.
The Independent say that since then a prospective offer from Everton was being seriously considered by Rooney and that the Merseysiders have been attempting a move “for a few months”.
And sources at Old Trafford have indicated that United would be willing to waive a transfer fee, while Everton would be capable of offering wages of around £150,000-a-week (RM828,000).
That would still mean a significant wage cut of around 50% for Rooney.
But the pull of his old side would mean it was a sacrifice he would be willing to make.
Despite the breakdown last month, a move to China is still an option.
However, much depends on whether Rooney has regained his England place by the summer and how he views his chances of appearing at next year’s World Cup. — The Sun, London