Football: Wayne Rooney in talks over Everton homecoming

(GUARDIAN) - Wayne Rooney is in advanced talks with Everton about rejoining his boyhood team with the potential move centring on the Merseyside club matching the £250,000-a-week (S$446,043) basic salary he earns at Manchester United.

Rooney has a year left on his contract and is intent on having his wages matched by clubs interested in his services.

Everton are aware the 31-year-old has previously stated they are the only Premier League side he would leave United for and they believe this strengthens their position.

Rooney's only other option appears to be a move to US' Major League Soccer, where he will not earn as much, with interest from Chinese Super League clubs fading.

United are due to fly to Los Angeles on Sunday to start their five-match, pre-season tour of America.

If the transfer is not completed by then, it remains in the balance whether Rooney will be in United manager Jose Mourinho's squad for the trip.

United could demand a transfer fee from Everton, but because Rooney's salary costs the club a minimum of £13 million-a-year, Ed Woodward, the club's executive vice-chairman, may decide to waive any sum or agree a reduced amount to offload the forward from the books.

If Rooney does depart, it will close a 13-year spell at United that has been supremely successful.

He signed from Everton in August 2004 and has since won five Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup, three League Cups, the Europa League and the Fifa World Club Cup.

The England international is also United's record scorer with 253 goals.

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