Gossip: Rooney back to Everton; Bonucci, Alves

Matt Stead

ROONEY RETURN
How very un-Ronald Koeman of you. According to the Daily Mirror, Everton attempted to sign Wayne Rooney in January. They could well return for their former player in the summer.

Of course, it was the Mirror who kindly shouted on Wednesday that ‘China move next week will make England star world’s best-paid player’. Oh, and that ‘WAYNE ROONEY’s record-breaking transfer to China has been sanctioned by Manchester United’. By Thursday evening, the captain had confirmed he was staying.

But back to this story, and the claim that despite yesterday’s announcement, Rooney ‘is almost certain to leave United in the summer’. He has a year left on his contract, but no desire to be a ‘bit-part player’.

That means that returning to Goodison Park is ‘a serious option’ for the 31-year-old, but does he really fit in Koeman’s current regime? Arsenal must be devastated…

 

BONUCCI HUNT
It turns out that telling a player to ‘f*** off’ and calling him a ‘d*ckhead’ might make him want to leave. That is the conundrum currently facing Massimiliano Allegri, the Juventus manager having thoroughly verbally blasted Leonardo Bonucci recently.

It was during the win over Palermo that the manager tore into the player, and it has attracted the attention of Chelsea and Manchester City. Both tried to sign the Italian in the summer but failed.

The Independent report that recent events will see both Premier League sides ‘test Bonucci’s relationship’ with Juventus by making bids.

Bonucci is Chelsea’s ‘top target’ for the summer, while Pep Guardiola really does need a defender who can do defensive things. As a result, the 29-year-old could move for the big money.

 

DANI, ARE YOU OKAY?
Speaking of Pep Guardiola and defenders, the bald one could make a move for Dani Alves in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The pair worked together at Barcelona, and it is believed that the Manchester City manager wants to trade his 30-something right-backs in for a 33-year-old right-back who is admittedly still rather good.

It is claimed that Alves wants to ‘sample’ the Premier League before retirement, but his wages, combined with the fact he turns 34 in May, could put Guardiola off. Still, he is interested.

 

AND THE REST
Claudio Ranieri was sacked as Leicester manager after senior players complained about the Italian to the club’s owners…Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester City after a breakdown in his relationship with the players that he led to an extraordinary Premier League title only nine months ago…Gareth Southgate is considering giving a first England call-up to Nathan Redmond for next month’s internationals against Germany and Lithuania amid concern about his existing forwards’ lack of goals and game-time…Arsenal’s players are convinced Arsene Wenger will sign a new contract that keeps him at the Emirates Stadium for the next two seasons…Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is the favourite to take over at the King Power Stadium…Manchester City are reportedly plotting a summer bid for Inter Milan goalie Samir Handanovic.