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Rooney’s agent in China amid rumors
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WAYNE Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford held talks in China yesterday amid mounting speculation over the Manchester United captain’s future, British media said.
Rooney, 31, has been sidelined by manager Jose Mourinho heightening expectations he could leave United for the mega-rich Chinese Super League.
Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guo’an, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian are said to be among those interested in United’s all-time top scorer.
British media have reported that he could earn up to US$1 million a week, making him the world’s best paid player.
However, it remains unlikely that any move would be complete before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday.
Rooney missed Wednesday’s Europa League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne through injury — which United won 1-0 to advance 4-0 on aggregate — but dominated conversation in France.
Mourinho said that Rooney’s future was in his own hands in comments at his pre-match press conference that only fuelled the speculation.
“You’ll have to ask him,” Mourinho said. “You have to ask him. Of course I can’t guarantee (he will be here). I can’t guarantee that I’m here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season?
“What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club. That’s the only thing I can guarantee.
“I would never push — or try to push — a legend of this club to another destiny.
“So you have to ask him if he sees himself staying in the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving. It is not a question for me because I am happy to have him.”
Rooney’s deal runs until mid-2018, which United can extend by a further year.
He is United’s record goalscorer and has won five English Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy since joining as an 18-year-old from Everton in 2004.
A return to boyhood club Everton or a move to Major League Soccer could be other avenues for Rooney, but are unlikely to offer wages anywhere near that available in China.
Former United teammate Carlos Tevez, ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar and former Watford striker Odion Ighalo are among those to have recently made big-money moves. However, a switch to China could bring Rooney’s England career to an abrupt end.
The country’s all-time top scorer has won 119 caps and is closing in on Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances.
Rooney has already announced plans to retire from international football after next year’s World Cup in Russia.
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