Everton stars to welcome Wayne Rooney’s return to club with open arms as Manchester United exit looms closer
Rooney will return to Everton 13-years on from his switch to United after losing his place last season under Jose Mourinho
EVERTON players can’t wait for the return of Wayne Rooney to Goodison Park.
SunSport exclusively revealed the Manchester United skipper is set to return to Everton on a free transfer, 13 years after his £26.5million switch to Old Trafford as a teenager.
Despite offers abroad, a return to Merseyside was always the preferred option if he left United this summer, and now the 31-year-old forward has got his wish.
Rooney’s powers have diminished to a degree, but the current Toffees squad are excited at the prospect of the forward joining them as they look to close the gap on the top six next season.
SunSport have been told the Everton boys have been following media reports of Rooney’s United exit for months and insist the forward still has plenty to offer with a point to prove next season.
The experienced attacker will join an exciting group at Goodison Park who returned for pre-season training this week which includes Jordan Pickford and his old United team-mate Michael Keane.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could be another addition at Goodisson Park following Alexandre Lacazette's move to the Emirates.
One player Wazza won't work with is Romelu Lukaku who is expected to pass on his No 10 shirt as he exits Merseyside and returns south to Chelsea for £90m.
Rooney became surplus to requirements and spent most of the season on the bench.
The lack of game time cost the forward his place in the England squad, and Toffees boss Ronald Koeman will look to tap into that hunger Rooney still has to prove the doubters wrong next season.
Regular football this year will give the former Three Lions skipper a chance to force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of the World Cup in Russia next year.
