Will he or won’t he?

Rooney’s agent in China for transfer talks

LONDON: Wayne Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford held talks in China amid mounting speculation over the Manchester United captain’s future, British media said.

Rooney, 31, has been sidelined by manager Jose Mourinho heightening expectations he could leave United for the mega-rich Chinese Super League.

Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian are said to be among those interested in United’s all-time top scorer.

British media have reported that he could earn up to £1mil (RM5.5mil) a week, making him the world’s best paid player.

However it remains unlikely that any move would be complete before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday.

Rooney missed Wednesday’s Europa League last 32, second leg in St Etienne through injury but dominated conversation in France.

A return to boyhood club Everton and move to Major League Soccer (MLS) could be other avenues for Rooney but are unlikely to offer wages anywhere near that available in China.

Former United team-mate Carlos Tevez, former Chelsea midfielder Oscar and former Watford striker Odion Ighalo are among those to have recently made big-money moves to the Far East.

However, a switch to China could bring Rooney’s England career to an abrupt end.

The country’s all-time top scorer has won 119 caps and is closing in on Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances.

Rooney has already announced plans to retire from international football after next year’s World Cup in Russia. — AFP