Report: Rooney in advanced talks over Everton homecoming
Wayne Rooney is deep in talks over returning to where it all began.
The Scouser is prepared to leave Manchester United a year before the expiration of his current contract, but is holding out for a basic £250,000-a-week salary to make a switch to boyhood club Everton, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson.
Considering the 31-year-old's thick pay packet and dwindling role in Stretford, United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is apparently open to letting Rooney leave for a cut-price fee or nothing at all.
Everton is the only interested party from the Premier League, reports BBC Sport's Simon Stone and Phil McNulty, but there's a chance interest could exist in Major League Soccer, where Rooney would earn a little less. Since restrictions were imposed on the signing and subsequent fielding of foreign players, rumours of a move to the Chinese Super League have faded.
Rooney said in May that he'd make a decision on his future "in the next couple of weeks." He also claimed Jose Mourinho wanted to keep him at United, but he was desperate to play regular first-team football - something that wasn't apparent through his 15 league starts last season.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
He added on Everton and United: "I've played for two Premier League clubs and they're the only two Premier League clubs I'll play for."
Even if a deal isn't struck for Rooney to end his 13-year association with United by the end of the week, the forward may not be invited to join the squad's pre-season tour of the United States, which begins on Sunday.
If Rooney does return to Everton, he'll join an exciting, youthful revolution being overseen by Ronald Koeman. Exciting English talents Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane have been picked up for around £60 million, and are joined by Davy Klaassen, Sandro Ramirez, Henry Onyekuru, and Nathangelo Markelo on Merseyside. It's all part of Everton's bid to reach Champions League football, assisted by the wealth of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
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Rooney may be tasked with filling some serious shooting boots at Goodison Park. Romelu Lukaku scored 25 Premier League goals last season over 37 appearances, and is linked with an expensive switch to former club Chelsea this summer.