It appears there’s some truth to the rumours that Wayne Rooney could be moving to America very soon.
The Washington Post claimed on Tuesday that the Everton captain could move to Major League Soccer’s DC United in the coming weeks, a year on from leaving Manchester United to rejoin his boyhood club.
Following on from this report, which claimed he had a ’50 per cent chance’ of moving to Washington, the Daily Mail have claimed he is ‘closing in’ on a transfer. Their report says that Paul Stretford, Rooney’s representative, has been in the USA in recent weeks to discuss a possible move.
Such a transfer could now take place when the MLS transfer window opens on July 10. Rooney could earn around £12.5m from the move with Stretford discussing a contract until the end of the 2020 MLS season.
DC United are said to have attempted to bring Rooney to the club when he left Old Trafford a year ago before the 32-year-old opted to return to Goodison Park. They are said to be seeking a statement signing with global pull and are also thought to be considering moves for Rooney’s old United teammates Carlos Tevez and Javier Hernandez, as well as former Manchester City and Liverpool striker, Mario Balotelli.
Rooney is said to have been made aware by Everton that they would not stand in his way should he wish to make the move, with manager Sam Allardyce unable to guarantee him games next season. Although Bill Kenwright, the club’s chairman, has made it known he would like him to stay, owner Farhad Moshiri is said to be happy to back Allardyce on the matter.
Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer during his final season at Old Trafford, breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s record. He also broke Charlton’s England goalscoring record. Since rejoining Everton, he has managed 11 goals in 40 appearances for the Toffees.
