Manchester United could still let their captain Wayne Rooney make a surprise move to the Chinese Super League before the end of this month, according to reports.
Rooney’s future at the Old Trafford has been under intense speculations for quite some time now. The England international, who surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s club goal-scoring record last month, has not started a Premier League game since mid-December and has been constantly linked with a move away from United. But with United competing on four fronts, Jose Mourinho is keen to keep the 31-year old at the club.
However, English news outlet The Telegraph has reported that the striker, who has played a limited role this term, could make a move to the far east. The transfer window in China remains open until 28 February and the clubs are still harboruing the hopes of signing one of most biggest football stars in the world.
The United skipper, who still has two more seasons before his current contract expires, could pocket up to £32 million per year in the lucrative Chinese league and United would demand an astronomical fee.
The report further claimed that a summer move may still seem more likely but the Chinese clubs are desperate to sign United’s all-time leading goal-scorer in the coming day. Beijing Guoan, who made a failed attempt to sign Rooney last summer, and Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao are seen as the front-runners to sign the striker.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see United’s approach in this case. Mourinho has clearly said that he is keen to keep Rooney until the end of the season but with the Red Devils desperately trying to sign Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, they will surely think twice before rejecting any huge offer from the Chinese suitors. Moreover, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been doing well in front of the goal and it might convince the United chiefs to let the skipper leave for China.