Club chief confirms Wayne Rooney set for talks over MLS move

Oli Fisher

Wayne Rooney will travel to the United States to meet officials at DC United this week, his spokesperson has confirmed.

Everton’s former England captain, who has one year left on his contract at Goodison Park, has been linked with a move to the Washington-based Major League Soccer club in recent weeks.

No deal has been made between Everton and United but Rooney, 32, is travelling to the United States for exploratory talks with the permission and in the full knowledge of the Merseysiders.

The trip is of a fact-finding nature to assess the opportunity that could exist should there be interest in a move.

Any transfer, however, would need to meet the approval of Everton. The final decision on any proposed deal would rest with the Premier League club.

Rooney is to be accompanied on his trip to Washington by his long-time adviser Paul Stretford.

News of the visit first emerged in a report in the Washington Post on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the player confirmed that it is to take place in the coming days.

Everton have not commented.

Rooney rejoined first club Everton last summer after 13 years with Manchester United. He scored 11 goals during the season just finished, including a hat-trick against West Ham in November.