Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney could be edging closer to a return to Everton.
Wayne Rooney in action for Everton during Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial
According to The Independent, Everton are expected to re-sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United this summer – and could even sign him on a free transfer.
Rooney, 31, came up through the ranks at Goodison Park having joined the Toffees at the age of just nine, and announced himself on the Premier League stage with a last-gap winner against Arsenal in 2002.
In 2004, Rooney left Everton having hit 17 goals in 77 games for the club, with Manchester United swooping to land him – and he has become a legend at Old Trafford with 250 goals in 550 games for the club.
Rooney became United’s all-time record goalscorer earlier this season, surpassing Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals, but he has started just nine Premier League games under Jose Mourinho this term.
With his England spot now under threat, Rooney needs to play first-team football, and he has been heavily touted for a return to Everton, where the investment of Farhad Moshiri will make a deal possible.
Now, The Independent report that Everton are expected to complete the signing of Rooney this summer, beating off competition from West Ham United to bring the attacker back to Merseyside.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney
It’s claimed that United not only feel that the deal is ‘likely to happen’ this summer, but they would even be willing to waive any transfer fee in order to allow Rooney to make his emotional return to Everton.
The report adds that Everton would be willing to offer Rooney £150,000-a-week in wages, and whilst that’s a major drop from his current earnings, he would allegedly accept the offer in order to make his big comeback to Goodison Park.
Whilst Rooney is past his best and has endured a frustrating season, his expected signing is still a coup for Everton, and would be a sign that Ronald Koeman’s men are serious about challenging for top six honours in the near future, should the deal go through.
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