Roo would light up the US Galaxy
MAJOR League Soccer would be an “attractive” option for Wayne Rooney when he leaves Manchester United.
The 30-year-old has three years left on his Old Trafford deal and the Chinese Super League wants to lure him to the Far East.
But MLS could offer him the financial package and lifestyle he wants in his last few years as a pro player.
Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson may not lead a chase to sign Rooney, but he believes the league can put together a deal to suit the striker.
MLS continues to expand with Los Angeles FC joining in 2018 and Atlanta United, with ex-Spurs football administrator Darren Eales as president, to follow, so there will be outfits looking for star names.
“He still has some good soccer ahead of him,” said Paulson. “People assume he is older than he is. He would be a great signing for the MLS – 100 per cent the MLS would be attractive for him.
“Keep in mind he is a very talented footballer who has quality soccer ahead of him. You are not talking about a 34 or 35-year-old.”
Rooney has given no indication he wants to play abroad, and new England head coach Sam Allardyce made it clear yesterday the forward remains part of his plans.
But when he does eventually consider life after Old Trafford, there is a possibility he could link up with former United star David Beckham, as he presses ahead with plans to start a team in Miami.
Beckham is set to strike it rich with the franchise on which he has taken a £19million option as part of the contract he signed when he moved to LA Galaxy in 2007.
It now costs over £100m to bring a franchise into MLS and it is believed Miami’s team would be worth more than £250m the minute it is officially started.
Eales’ Atlanta expansion team have already sold 22,000 season tickets before they have even kicked a ball, and will share the £1.2bn Mercedes-Benz Stadium with NFL side Atlanta Falcons when it is finished.
The stunning facility has a retractable roof and 71,000 seats but will be limited to 29,000 for Atlanta United to create more of an atmosphere, with selected games opened up to extra fans.
This is all part of ambitious plans by MLS chiefs to continue growing the game in the US, with attendances improving steadily and global audiences increasing.
While the arrivals of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have boosted the league, they want top talent to come to America much earlier in their careers.
They have a bold ambition that by 2022 it will be the league of choice for the world’s best players despite competition in Europe and the billions invested in the Chinese Super League.