Top 10 possible destinations for Wayne Rooney
With an Old Trafford departure likely to be on the cards for Wayne Rooney, we look at the top 10 potential exit routes in four different countries for the want-away Manchester United striker.
France
Paris Saint Germain
The newly-crowned French champions are currently one of the biggest money-spending clubs in Europe. The mega-rich Qatari owners are prepared to splash the cash this summer to strengthen the team for the next season. Constantly linked with the club, Wayne Rooney could relish life in Paris after seeing a successful season for the ‘PSG Project’. Swedish star man Ibrahimovic has already urged the 27-year-old striker to join the club alongside him and his former team-mate, David Beckham.
Germany
Bayern Munich
‘He is one of the greatest players in the world as there are very few players with his qualities,’ Bayern’s manager in waiting, Pep Guardiola, once said about Rooney. A week ago, speculations emerged that Rooney had told his Manchester United team-mates he wanted to join the mighty Bayern side this summer. The Champions League finalists would be seeking to sign a dominant striker with Mario Gomez set to leave the club this summer.
Borrusia Dortmund
The German side have reached the final of the Champions League with impressive performances throughout this season but have failed to put a stay on star striker Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker is likely to move, leaving an open door for a world-class striker to join the club, and an unsettled Wayne Rooney could be an option for Jurgen Klopp.
Spain
Real Madrid
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘big-money’ transfer to Real Madrid in 2009, Rooney has been consistently linked with the Spanish club. Earlier, Rooney had requested Sir Alex Ferguson for a transfer in 2010, and according to reports, he was on the verge of signing for the European giants. Fans all around the world have relished watching the successful Rooney-Ronaldo partnership at Manchester United. Rooney’s transfer to Real Madrid is a possibility after the club confirmed that Higuain will be sold this summer and a new striker will be signed.
Barcelona
Couple of months ago, Catalan’s megastar Lionel Messi praised Wayne Rooney and revealed his desire to one day play alongside the England International. Barcelona were left humiliated with a 7-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the semi-final of the Champions League. Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova will be looking to strengthen his side by signing an attacker this summer, which is a necessity rather than a possibility.
England
Chelsea
Wayne Rooney’s first priority would be to stay in the Premier League and the newly-crowned Europa League champions are looking to offer an astonishing contract, a deal ‘Wazza’ could hardly deny. Chelsea and Roman Abramovich are well known for making big moves. Rooney’s demands of £250,000-a-week wages are not considered an issue for the London club. In addition, Rooney would relish playing for Chelsea if the club appoint Jose Mourinho as their new manager.
Arsenal
The Gunners are desperate to sign a big name after another disappointing season for the club is about to end. Arsene Wenger will be looking to add players to the squad this summer and has refused to rule out a move for Rooney. Wenger understands the possibility of bringing Rooney to the Emirates next season and should be considered as a strong contender.
Manchester City
Another big-money spending club in the list, Manchester City will try to tempt the 27-year-old veteran. In 2010, the Rooney saga was considered as a two-horse race between Real Madrid and Manchester City. However, Rooney decided to stay at Old Trafford, which seems unlikely to happen this time around. The newly appointed manager’s admiration for Rooney will prove decisive in City’s quest to seal a deal for Rooney.
Everton
Born and bred in Liverpool, Wayne Rooney joined Everton at the age of 9. Rooney made his senior career debut in the year 2002, making him the second youngest player in Everton’s history. Rooney’s senior career at Everton lasted for only two years after he faced a legal battle with club boss David Moyes over comments in his autobiography. Rooney could make his career look like a fairy-tale if he returns to the Toffees this summer.
Manchester United
Rooney’s contract with Manchester United expires in the year 2015. Newly appointed boss David Moyes will try to convince Rooney to stay at the club for at least another year. According to speculations, Moyes is said to have a talk with Rooney over his future. However, the English champions would prefer earning from Wayne Rooney’s transfer than letting him move for free in the summer of 2015.