[h=1]Everton pushing for Rooney return[/h]
Matt Dickinson, Gary Jacob, Paul Joyce
July 4 2017, 12:01am,
The Times
Koeman believes that Rooney would add experience and quality to his squadANDREW COULDRIDGE/REUTERS
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Everton have stepped up their efforts to lure Wayne Rooney back to Goodison Park. There remain hurdles to overcome, notably coming up with a financial package for a player who earns about £250,000 a week at Manchester United, but Everton’s desire to strike a deal for the 31-year-old is now clear.
The situation has been discussed over the past week and the clubs have also been talking about Romelu Lukaku, who is wanted by both United and Chelsea. Rooney was due to return from holiday last night and will report for training at the end of the week.
José Mourinho, the United manager, has said that he wants his club captain to remain at Old Trafford but the prospect of regular football at Everton, whom Rooney left in 2004, is intriguing for a player who has said that his boyhood club is the only other one that he would play for in the Premier League. There has also been interest from China, the United States and Europe.
Ronald Koeman, the Everton manager, believes that Rooney would add experience and quality to his squad. It is unclear what sort of fee United would want for a player with 12 months left on his contract, and there is also an option for him to sign on for another year.
Everton’s ambition is plain. Michael Keane completed his move from Burnley yesterday, signing a five-year deal for a fee that could rise from £25 million to a club-record equalling £30million depending on the defender’s progress.
“First and foremost, the manager was a big factor in me coming to the club,” Keane said. “He played in my position when he was a world-class player for a great Barcelona side and a great Dutch side and the style of football he likes to play will suit me, I believe.”
The club have also signed Sandro Ramírez, the Malaga and Spain Under-21 striker, for £5.2 million, taking Everton’s spending to £90 million. Jordan Pickford, Davy Klaassen and Henry Onyekuru have already been signed.
