Everton striker Wayne Rooney is “on the verge” of agreeing to a move to Major League Soccer’s D.C. United.
Rooney’s representatives agreed to a deal in principle with D.C. in early May, and Rooney has spent much of the time since considering the move, including going on a “fact-finding mission” since the end of the Premier League season.
The 32-year-old still has one year remaining on his contract at Everton, for whom he played from 2002-04 before returning in 2017 after 13 years with Manchester United. However, previous reports have said Rooney feels forced out of Everton – with little choice but to accept joining D.C. United – after being told he is not in Everton manager Marco Silva’s plans.
Rooney scored 10 goals in 32 games for Everton during the 2017-18 season, but did not score after December, and his future with the team became cloudy when Silva replaced Sam Allardyce.
England’s all-time leading goal scorer is expected to sign with D.C. United as a designated player. Sky Sports News had previously reported that it was expected to be a two-year deal worth as just more than $5 million annually. A secondary deal would reportedly allow Rooney to return to Everton in a coaching role in the future.
Rooney won’t be able to join D.C. until the league’s secondary transfer window opens on July 10. D.C. United open their new pitch, Audi Field, on July 14.