Dc United is looking to England to find their path to the 2018 MLS Championship. Former England national team captain and midfielder Wayne Rooney could be headed to DC United, according to Sky News and other outlets.
Early reports estimate that the deal tallies over £12 million (about $16.2 million); potentially keeping the 32 year-old play-maker at DC United through the end of the 2020 MLS season. When the deal was discussed via Twitter, it was met with skepticism, The Washington Post reported.
Right now everything is in negotiations and no formal agreement has been signed.
This is partly due to the MLS transfer window which doesn’t open until July 1. Some close to both United and Rooney say both sides have agreed on principle; and confirmation of the agreement could happen as soon as July 10. Most of the world will be focused on the World Cup, but Rooney has retired from international play; and the US failed to qualify.
What DC United gets
If the deal goes through it would be a huge acquisition for United, who are currently in last place in the league. Wayne Rooney has been an English Soccer staple since he was 16. He’s Manchester United and the English national team’s record goal-scorer. United believes Rooney could make a huge impact on the struggling club. Even at 32, some critics and fans alike believe he still has a couple more seasons in him.
And as the opening date for United's future home, Audi Field, gets closer, United would have a star capable of filling seats at the Buzzard Point location. DC United’s Audi Field is projected to open on July 14.
What Rooney gets
Outside of a hefty paycheck (he would become the highest-paid player in DC United’s history), Rooney would also have a chance to reestablish himself as a perennial player, and reach a wider audience.
Many believe he can still play in the English Premier League, but his chances of playing first-team for his current club, Everton, or any of the major clubs, may be slim. Despite this, he still is very popular. Currently, he has more social media followers than all the MLS players combined.
United response
As of now, talks continue to swirl, yet DC United head coach Ben Olsen told TMZ, "The deal is not done but there is some interest from our end.” Other United officials have been mum on Rooney, but have previously remarked that they are interested in bringing top names to the club over the summer.
Rooney coming to the MLS would be the most recent superstar to come to the league following David Beckham, David Villa, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If United has their way, they would also like to see Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, or Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez join their ranks.
