Wayne Rooney’s Everton move ‘almost inevitable’ as Manchester United try to offload striker
Record goalscorer is negotiating his golden goodbye as Toffees grow ever more confident of bringing back academy graduate
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EVERTON are growing increasingly confident of bringing Wayne Rooney back to the club this summer.
The striker was used to promote Manchester United's new kit-sparking claims he is set to stay.
But have been told by Goodison sources that Rooney's return is "almost inevitable."
The England skipper - who is set to lose his armband - has been tipped to join his boyhood club since falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.
His place on the bench will not be secure next season as the United boss strengthens his attacking options.
But a potential sticking point has arisen as The Sun revealed Roo is prepared to hold Old Trafford chiefs to ransom.
He has a year left on his £300,000-a-week deal but could trigger an automatic 12-month extension.
That would dwarf what he could earn anywhere but China and cost the club £30million.
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United are ready to offer Rooney a golden goodbye of around a third of that amount.
But the record goalscorer is not agitating for a move and it is understood he and his advisors intend to stand firm.
Gary Neville has urged Rooney and United to sort it out, saying: “I’m surprised it has not been dealt with. You don’t want that hanging over a pre-season.”
Rooney and his team-mates return to training on Saturday before flying out to Los Angeles for a week-long camp before their US tour kicks off.
Everton have already signed Jordan Pickford, Davy Klassen and Henry Onyekuru this window, with Michael Keane and Sandro Ramirez close to joining.
