Wayne Rooney: Everton forward to meet MLS side DC United

By Simon StoneBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Evertoncomments321

Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney rejoined Everton from Manchester United in July 2017

Everton forward Wayne Rooney will hold talks in Washington with Major League Soccer side DC United on Thursday.

The 32-year-old has already agreed a deal in principle with the club, although he still has a year left on his contract at Goodison Park.

The trip to the capital of the United States is understood to be a fact-finding mission.

Rooney rejoined Everton in July 2017 having spent 13 seasons at Manchester United.

He is the Red Devils' record goalscorer and won five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

It is understood Rooney has been offered a contract until the end of the 2020 MLS season. The US transfer window does not open until July.

BBC Sport also understands Everton have given Rooney permission to speak to the American club but would welcome him remaining on Merseyside next season.

The Toffees are also keen for Rooney to discuss his future with their new director of football, former PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands, and meet their new manager once appointed - with ex-Watford boss Marco Silva the main contender for that role.

Rooney made 40 appearances for the club last season and was top scorer with 11 goals.

'Final decision rests with Everton' - analysis

BBC Sport's Simon Stone

The devil is in the detail with this proposed move. It is anticipated former England captain Rooney will be in Washington on Thursday and his trip will last no more than 48 hours. None of the first-team coaching or playing personnel will be around as they have an away game at LAFC on Saturday.

This is a fact-finding trip, a chance to understand the club and get to know some of the executive personnel.

A final decision, it is being stressed by Rooney's spokesperson, rests with Everton. And there is the crux. Rooney still has a year left on his contract at Goodison Park. That is probably around £7.5m in wages and bonuses. Before he commits to what is likely to be the last significant move of his career, Rooney's advisors will want to make sure an acceptable financial exit is thrashed out.

For their part, Everton will be looking to limit further expenditure on a player who returned amid much fanfare 12 months ago but faded after a bright start.

The bottom line is it is now more likely than it has ever has been that Rooney will be starting a new phase of his career in Major League Soccer when new signings are allowed to play in July.

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321 comments

  • Comment posted by SwissColony, at 11:14 23 May 2018

    40. Posted by Tom1983

    Yes he broke the goalscoring records for England, but do you really think had Lineker or Charlton played the same number of games Rooney would have even been close?

    Rooney 53 goals in 119 games
    Charlton 49 in 106
    Lineker 48 in 80

    Rooney took 39 more games than Lineker to score five more goals. Rooney one WC goal in three tournaments, Lineker Golden boot in '86.

  • Comment posted by SwissColony, at 10:59 23 May 2018

    Let's see if I've understood this:

    "Rooney's advisors will want to make sure an acceptable financial exit is thrashed out."

    He wants to leave and Everton won't stand in his way. So he'll take his 'boyhood club' for as much as he can? If he were a decent person, he'd walk away and ask for nothing from the club that gave him everything.

  • Comment posted by The Big Cook, at 10:44 23 May 2018

    He should be aiming for a Florida based side as there are many, many retired old ladies he can dine out on.

  • Comment posted by Zomersetonian, at 10:53 23 May 2018

    Rooney had the world at his feat as an 18yr old but has never lived up to his potential sadly. He's younger than Ronaldo...if the desire or effort was still there he would be at a top club and about to play in the World Cup.

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 10:22 23 May 2018

    It says Rooney is going on a fact finding mission. The only fact he will be interested in is how much moolah he’s going to get.

  • Comment posted by LisbonSwan, at 10:28 23 May 2018

    @2. Posted by Darren from Devon GGMU

    ...Ladies and gentlemen, this is why everyone thinks Man Utd fans are obnoxious.

  • Comment posted by GALAXY, at 10:40 23 May 2018

    He'll do well there as the hair transplant treatments are far more advanced

  • Comment posted by Newsense, at 10:38 23 May 2018

    Anything that takes this reckless, drink driving excuse for a role model of the UK roads is a must.

  • Comment posted by Green1878, at 10:39 23 May 2018

    He has been past it for about 4 years. Massively highlighted now that he is in a struggling Everton team in transition and isn't surrounded by high quality, expensive players.

    He broke onto the scene early for the reason he has been struggling for years, he puts on weight easily. Great for a 16 year old to play the mens game, terrible for a 30 year old whose game hinges on being a yard early

  • Comment posted by eman, at 10:33 23 May 2018

    He should join the Marvel franchise, not DC universe.

  • Comment posted by UnbelievableJeff, at 11:28 23 May 2018

    Ronaldo is about to play in his 6th Champions League final.

    Rooney is on the plane searching for a quick buck in one of the worst national leagues going.

    The first half of his career - world class.

    The second half of his career - pathetic, misguided, a parody.

    The English Torres.

  • Comment posted by WLR89, at 11:29 23 May 2018

    40: With respect Tom, we've seen his tantrums, his blackmail, his lies, his shocking personal morality and neglect of his own world class talent.

    Leave the judgement up to us pal.

  • Comment posted by TheMadMan, at 12:15 23 May 2018

    We all need to pay our respects; England have never had a player as good as Rooney at scoring against nations ranked outside the top 20.

  • Comment posted by IssP227, at 11:11 23 May 2018

    All this nonsense he was coming out with 10 months ago about wanting to end evertons trophy drought and get them back in the champions league...

    1 season later with an 8th placed finished and he ditches them for the mighty DC United!

  • Comment posted by benny tez, at 10:27 23 May 2018

    He hasn't been a footballer for years anyway so he'll fit right in

  • Comment posted by CDawg, at 10:47 23 May 2018

    Waster.

    If he actually looked after himself properly he could have been a special, special player.

    Will be forgotten about as soon as his England goals tally is broken by Kane.

  • Comment posted by Baron von Gammon, at 10:30 23 May 2018

    Imagine if he forgets to bring along his interpreter.

    Meeting adjourned.

  • Comment posted by SwissColony, at 11:26 23 May 2018

    I should add, as my previous comments are negative towards Rooney, at his height he was a very good club player and deserves his trophies. just don't pretend he ever added anything to England. 'Flat Track Bully' - he scored in qualifiers and friendlies but could never do the business at tournament finals.

    This is where the frustrations come from. Touted as England's best, but he never was.

  • Comment posted by Cookiecrumble, at 11:10 23 May 2018

    This could be the best bit of business that Everton do this summer.

  • Comment posted by The Right Is Right The Left Is Wrong, at 12:56 23 May 2018

    Never forgave him after his criticism of the England fans booing in South Africa. The fans pay a lot of money to fly around the globe supporting the team, and should therefore be able to express themselves however they wish. If he and his team mates had put in a half decent shift, they wouldn't have been booed. Certain players seem to think that fan-adulation/worship is a divine right.

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