The clubs would be signing Rooney based on reputation, rather than current quality.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney
West Ham United have emerged as surprise competitors to Everton to sign Wayne Rooney from Manchester United this summer.
According to the Sunday Express, the Hammers are prepared to match the £150,000-a-week wages that Rooney would require to move back to Goodison Park.
While this would see the England international’s wages reduce by more than £100,000-a-week, the real question is would both clubs still be overpaying for the forward’s services?
Rooney undoubtedly has a proven record, as United and England’s all time highest scorer and with the second most goals in Premier League history.
However, this is a reputation that blurs the issues that the attacker now has in his game. Breaking onto the scene as a 16-year-old with a man’s physique has meant Rooney has peaked earlier and was always unlikely to have the prolonged career other footballer’s enjoy.
Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney scores their first goal
Although still only 31, the attacker is no longer a regular at Old Trafford and has lost the yard of pace and direct style that made him so exciting in his youth.
Both West Ham and Everton would be in danger of signing an expensive star name, rather than a star player.
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