MERSEYSIDE RETURN IN BALANCE EVERTON ROONEY BATTLE
Blues big noises are split over making Wayne bid Stoke set for £45m gamble
WAYNE ROONEY could be facing the heartbreak of missing out on an emotional full-circle return to Everton.
His boyhood Merseyside club are split on whether to break the bank to take him back to Goodison.
And that means Rooney’s options are being squeezed with his stellar career now at the crossroads after a trophy- laden 13- year spell at Manchester United.
At least two Chinese Super League clubs are willing to throw up to £70million at Rooney to tempt him into moving to the Far East, even though it would mean massive upheaval for his young family.
The United and England recordbreaker has also had interest from the MLS in America, which remains a viable option, with other offers in Europe also on the table.
But with his Old Trafford days all but over, the 31-year-old’s hopes of staying in the Premier League at Everton are by no means certain.
Although no concrete decision has yet been taken, influential Everton power-brokers are believed to be having second thoughts about committing huge resources to a deal which would have no re-sale value – or guarantee on-pitch success.
And that doubt could mean Rooney being forced overseas to play out the last years of his career after admitting his only Premier League clubs will be United or the Blues.
Toffees chairman Bill Kenwright, with a feel for the theatrical, would like to take Rooney back to his Goodison roots.
So too would boss Ronald Koeman who would like him to help develop young talent like Tom Davies, Dominic Calvert- Lewin, Ademola Lookman, Mason Holgate and Matthew Pennington.
Kenwright knows such a move would win the support of those Everton fans who want the striker to finish his Premier League days in the club’s blue shirt.
Some board members are not averse to his return either – despite private admissions they would be letting hearts rule their heads.
But advisors who have the ear of billionaire club owner Farhad Moshiri are less attracted by the romance.
Especially as it is a deal which could cost Everton a huge £21m outlay if Rooney accepted a three-year contract on £150,000 a week.
That might still be only half of his current United salary – but it would be the most Everton have paid any player in their history.
Shadows
And with Rooney enduring his least active season in terms of minutes on the pitch, influencers around Moshiri have pointed out that moving for the United skipper does not make watertight financial sense at this stage of his career.
Everton would be able to cash in commercially on Rooney – but the cash return would be nothing like the numbers United generated.
The ticking clock and Rooney’s own desire to play means it is the end of the road at Old Trafford, although he could still stay and pocket £15m next season, albeit in the shadows. currently one of the major players of the gambling industry with 20 million customers in 200 countries.
They could easily afford to bankroll a Rooney move and exploit the star’s commerical appeal through their worldwide customer base.
But Stoke manager Mark Hughes may have problems persuading the 31-year-old star to buy into the project.
Especially as Rooney insisted after the Europa League Final win over Ajax that he won’t play for any Premier League clubs other than United and Everton.
But athough Rooney has been heavily linked with Everton, there has been no approach so far from Goodison Park to United to talk to the star who has one more year left on his £300,000-a-week deal plus the option of an extra year.
Any move to another English club – Everton or Stoke – would have financial complexities if United force the issue to cut Rooney loose.
He would get a minimum £15m in wages plus whatever he would be legally due if the option for the extra year is on his side rather than United’s.
That’s why boss Jose Mourinho has thrown the ball into Rooney’s court saying it’s his decision whether he stays.
If he stayed, Rooney could see out his contract but would have to accept ,with United poised to hit the transfer market, he would be more of a bit-part player next season.
Those who know Rooney will say that’s not an option for the proud star who believes he has plenty left to offer at the top level.
Stoke’s interest is genuine and would mean Rooney can stay in the North-West.
And it’s brought an intriguing twist to a story that will reach a conclusion later this summer with Rooney claiming he will discuss all his options on a family holiday.