Everton are reportedly closing in on a sensational deal to sign Manchester United veteran Wayne Rooney on a free transfer this summer.
According to a report by The Sun, Wayne Rooney is on the verge of clinching a deal by this week to embark on a sensational return to his boyhood club Everton as Manchester United are looking to let him go.
Rooney’s name has been removed from the Manchester United squad that will travel to the USA to commence their pre-season tour even though it was included at first. That led to speculations that perhaps he will remain with United but now it has become seemingly evident that the 31-year-old is set to exit Old Trafford this summer.
The forward is set to go back to Goodison Park after a stunning 13-year journey with Manchester United. He still holds the record tally of being United’s all-time leading goalscorer with a mammoth 253 goals and has been poised to join the Toffees for a while now.
A return to his former club seems like the best option for Rooney at this point of his career. It is clear that the celebrated striker has fallen down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho since he has been struggling to perform at his best form for quite some time now.
Rooney has always been one of those strikers who can instill fear even into the strongest of oppositions and the fact that he has had to forego regular football at United does not necessarily signal the end of the road for him. He is only 31 and still has time ahead of him and can play in different positions.
While it may suggest that he is no longer one of the fiercest forwards, Rooney can still enjoy the rest of his career playing regular football and making a difference for his boyhood club.
Ronald Koeman’s investment in the transfer market suggest that he is keen to see Everton finish in the top five positions at the very least and having Rooney in his squad can definitely be a boost.
The move to Everton will also allow Rooney to clock in regular game time – a prospect which would have been difficult to come by at United, with Jose Mourinho reportedly eager to boost his attacking options.
Everton’s current star striker Romelu Lukaku is expected to join Chelsea this summer, and if that happens, Rooney is likely to play in a No 10 role. With Sandro Ramirez signed as a potential replacement for Lukaku, the player can be partnered up with Rooney up front to bolster the attack.
