Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay off Wayne Rooney’s contract this summer and allow him to move on in a free transfer.
The 31-year-old’s future has been the subject of much speculation in recent months, as his time at Old Trafford looks to be coming to an end as he continues to play a bit-part role for Jose Mourinho this season.
With fierce competition for places and his own injury and form issues, Rooney has fallen down the pecking order at United and in turn that has resulted in constant speculation over his future.
The Sun have now made a sensational claim though, suggesting that despite having a contract that runs until 2019, United will pay Rooney off to get him off the books despite his whopping £250,000-a-week deal.
If they were to do that, the England international would become a free agent and he would be allowed to join any Premier League rival with Everton linked with a heavy interest this week after Ronald Koeman left the door open for a return to Goodison Park.
It’s added that United are very confident of landing Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann this summer, and so although Rooney is free to stay at United, he can’t be guaranteed that his situation won’t get worse with less minutes next season.
While it makes sense for United to consider allowing an exit, this report does seem a little far-fetched as it’s difficult to see the club push out a legend like that.
Having surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton to become the club’s all-time record goalscorer this season, Rooney is highly thought of at all levels of the Premier League giants, and so to pay him off does seem a little strange as it’s always been assumed that he wouldn’t be pushed out of the club.
The report adds that there has been talk of lucrative offers from China, while MLS always seemed to be a likely option. However, the sentimental choice of returning to Everton could be too much for Rooney to turn down.