Wayne Rooney’s operator Paul Stretford held talks in China on Thursday in the midst of mounting speculation over the Manchester United commander’s future, British media said.
Rooney, 31, has been sidelined by manager Jose Mourinho uplifting expectations he could leave United for the uber rich Chinese Super League. Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian are said to be among those interested in United’s unequaled top scorer.
British media have revealed that he could acquire up to $1 million seven days, making him the world’s best paid player. In any case it remains impossible that any move would be finished before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday.
“You’ll have to ask him,” Mourinho said. “You have to ask him.
“Of course I can’t guarantee (he will be here). I can’t guarantee that I’m here next week, how can I guarantee that a player is here next season? What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one day leaves the club it is not because I want him to leave the club. That’s the only thing I can guarantee. I would never push – or try to push – a legend of this club to another destiny.
“So you have to ask him if he sees himself staying in the club for the rest of his career or if he sees himself moving. It is not a question for me because I am happy to have him.”
He further said, “You have to ask him, not me. I was very open with you in the answer. I don’t want him to leave.”
Previous United partner Carlos Tevez, ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar and previous Watford striker Odion Ighalo are among those to have as of late profited moves to the Far East. Be that as it may, a switch to China could convey Rooney’s England vocation to an unexpected end.
The nation’s untouched top scorer has won 119 caps and is closing in on Peter Shilton’s record of 125 appearances. Rooney has officially reported plans to resign from global football after the following year’s World Cup in Russia.
