Rooney agent ‘in China to negotiate possible deal’
Wayne Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford is in China to see if he can negotiate a deal for the England captain to leave Manchester United, according to reports.
A month on from becoming United’s all-time top scorer, speculation is growing that the 31-year-old could leave Old Trafford for pastures new, with big-spending Chinese clubs widely linked with a move for the player.
Reports in several national newspapers on Thursday suggest the forward could even head to the Far East before the CSL transfer window shuts next Tuesday, but Press Association Sport understands an exit by then is highly unlikely.
Jose Mourinho surprisingly said ahead of the second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie in St Etienne that the future was in his skipper’s hands.
“You’ll have to ask him,” the manager said before Wednesday’s 1-0 win, which saw United – without Rooney – advance 4-0 on aggregate. “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.”