Manchester United star Wayne Rooney a shock £45million transfer target… for Stoke
While it is likely the Old Trafford legend will leave, it was expected to be the MLS, China or Everton rather than the Potteries
MANCHESTER UNITED star Wayne Rooney is a shock £45million transfer target -for Stoke City.
While it is likely the 31-year-old will leave the Red Devils in the summer, it was expected to be the MLS, China or Everton rather than the Potteries.
The claim Mark Hughes's perennial mid-table finishers want to offer England skipper Rooney a huge package to move to the Bet365 Stadium.
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Nothing if not ambitious, Stoke's wealthy owner Peter Coates - founder of the aforementioned betting site - has the cash to smash their transfer record.
But the nagging question on everyone's lips if whether such a decorated star can be persuaded to move to the under-achieving Potters.
It seems unlikely too given he has repeatedly said the only Premier League teams he would ever play for would be United and boyhood club Everton.
Yet as the Sun exclusively reported yesterday, hope of a return to Merseyside now looks to have cooled.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman earlier in the season Wazza would be welcome back - but it is now believed the Dutchman has reservations over the amount of money it would cost to sign him.
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Koeman will also struggle to find a place for him in his young, vibrant side, meaning it looks like a move to China or the USA seems more likely - or maybe Staffordshire.
Rooney has one year left on his £300,000-a-week contract with the option of another year's extension, but has found game time under boss Jose Mourinho hard to come by as his influences wanes.
Despite being dropped from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, Rooney seems not to be the sort of man to run down a contract and be more of a bit-part player, believing he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.