It seemed certain to happen.
Wayne Rooney looked set to leave Manchester United this summer after 13 years at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old would depart after winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the FA Cup, the Europa League and the Champions League.
Rooney is also United's all-time top scorer with 253 goals. However, all good things come to an end. The player has been in steady decline for a couple of seasons, and lost his starting place last season under Jose Mourinho.
He played a backup role as United won the League Cup and the Europa League, scoring eight goals in 39 appearances across all competitions. After also losing his place in the England squad, it looked as though Rooney was certain to find a new club for next season.
However, according to reports in
The Times and
The Mirror, Rooney's future might not be as clear as it had seemed.
The report claims:
- Five Chinese Super League clubs are interested in signing Rooney, but a move is unlikely. A new rule in Chinese football means that when clubs sign a player, they must also pay the exact transfer fee into a fund to help develop young Chinese player. This could curb big money signings in the division.
- Clubs in Italy, Spain and Turkey are said to be interested.
- Stoke City would also like to sign him, but Rooney would have to take a 50 percent pay cut on his £250,000 a week salary. Everton are also said to be interested, but have made no official contact with United.
- Rooney will return to Carrington, United's training ground, two weeks before pre-season training is due to begin in an attempt to prove his fitness.
- He is expected to be part of the squad that flies to Los Angeles for a pre-season tour on July 8, unless the situation changes.
However, it appears as though Rooney doesn't have many viable options. MLS is half-way through it's season, China are cutting back on foreign signings and he may be too expensive for other Premier League teams.
The 31-year-old's contract runs for another year, with an option to extend it. So, don't be surprised if Rooney starts the season at United.
