Wayne Rooney given green light by Sam Allardyce to leave Everton as £300k-a-week DC United move nears
England legend set for MLS after Toffees boss admits he cannot promise forward first-team football at Goodison
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WAYNE ROONEY has been given the green light to leave Goodison by Sam Allardyce.
The Everton manager would have told him so face to face after admitting he would not be able to guarantee him a first-team place next season.
But by the time Big Sam made it clear that Roo might struggle to be a regular, the player himself had already left the club’s training ground.
He had treatment on a knee injury hours before Allardyce addressed the media and will not be in the squad to face West Ham tomorrow having already missed last Saturday’s 1–1 draw with Southampton.
Allardyce does insist that Rooney has not asked to leave with MLS side DC United waiting to sign him.
But he is just as clear that the record scorer with England and Manchester United would have work to do if he rejects a £300,000-per-week move to the MLS.
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DC United coach Ben Olsen has confirmed the club’s interest in signing the forward. He said: “The deal is not done but there is some interest from our end.”
Allardyce has hardly suggested that he is ready to pull up trees to keep a player, not sure of a starting spot and with the capacity to earn £200,000 per week with bonuses until the end of next season.
Rooney is seeking clarification of what his role will be with the Toffees.
But while the pair are now expected to sit down next week the message is not encouraging.
Allardyce, his own position as manager for next season under increasing doubt, declared: “How as a manager can you guarantee anyone they will play?
“If they don’t play well, you can’t select them and if they do play well, they stay in the team.
“That’s the simple fact of the matter. It is up to them to put their game together on a consistent basis.”
Allardyce insists he will be all ears when he does talk to Rooney about the proposed DC United switch, saying: “My understanding is there seems to have been some negotiation somewhere along the line.
“But, in terms of clarity as to whether Wayne is leaving or staying, I’ll find out when Wayne comes in for training.”
Allardyce, unaware that Rooney had already left the building, stressed: “I don’t get involved in transfers in or out or negotiations.
“All I know is there appears to be an interest from DC United — where that is, where that lies and where Wayne lies with it, I can’t tell you. I am always comfortable if any player wants to leave. But let’s put this right: Wayne Rooney has not asked to leave.
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“Neither has Wayne Rooney had any confrontation with me or been in any difficult situation in the time since I’ve been here because we are two adults and we talk to each other.”
Yet Rooney has grown increasingly frustrated in a mixed campaign that saw him score 11 goals before Christmas but none since.
He reacted furiously to being subbed in the 57th minute of the Merseyside derby last month having been hauled off around the same time the week before against Manchester City.
Allardyce added: “Wayne is a special player but if any player wants to leave they can.
“Whether they can or can’t is another matter. The headline isn’t: ‘Sam says Wayne Rooney can leave if he wants to’.
“If ANY player wants to leave they can go.”