Everton icon Rooney set for the States

WAYNE ROONEY last night appeared to be closing in on a sensational move to Major League Soccer side DC United. The Everton star’s representative Paul Stretford has been in the US in recent weeks to discuss terms and Sportsmail understands talks have been described as positive. It is believed a deal could be agreed that sees Rooney sign for DC United — based in Washington on America’s east coast — when the MLS transfer window opens on July 10. A contract running to the end of the 2020 MLS season has even been discussed with the Rooney camp. The US club tried to sign him last summer when he left Manchester United but he decided to complete an emotional return to Goodison Park instead. DC United looked at bringing Robin van Persie Stateside in January and have remained in the hunt for a marquee striker with global pull. Rooney has been made aware that Everton would not stand in his way over a transfer away as manager Sam Allardyce tries to raise funds for next season. Allardyce cannot guarantee the former England captain games. There are senior members of Everton’s hierarchy who would like Rooney to stay — including chairman Bill Kenwright, who stated as much during an address at the club’s season awards last week. But owner Farhad Moshiri is believed to agree with Allardyce’s assessment of the situation. Everton are understood to pay Rooney £100,000 per week and would be expected to agree a golden goodbye to facilitate any move. The club would save a percentage of his remaining salary, worth in excess of £5million for the year, with Rooney’s new club making up the difference. United sorted a similar arrangement last summer and Sportsmail understands the Old Trafford club are still picking up a weekly tab of £200,000 as part of the deal. He had signed a contract worth £300,000 per week running to June 2019. Representations from China have also been made but any deal involving a major relocation would need to make financial sense for Rooney. Still only 32, Premier League clubs would also inevitably be interested in United’s all-time record goalscorer. Allardyce yesterday spoke about the Rooney situation on talkSPORT. ‘There are rumours about Wayne going abroad — in China and America — but at the moment he is an Everton player and an Everton fan,’ said the Goodison boss.