MLS Rumors: Wayne Rooney in talks with DC United

Wayne Rooney, one of the biggest names in international soccer, is reportedly in talks to make a move to the MLS.

With 10 goals for Everton in league play this season, Wayne Rooney sits second in Premier League history with 208 goals. He is also the all-time leading scorer in England national team history with 53 goals in 119 appearances. But according to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, Rooney is in “serious talks” to join DC United in the MLS this summer.

Reports of Rooney’s growing frustration at Everton have surfaced, and he has a year left on his contract. The MLS transfer window opens on July 10, and Goff tabbed Rooney’s chances of landing with DC United at 50 percent as talks between the club and his representatives have accelerated in recent weeks.

DC United is set to open a new stadium, Audi Field, in July. So there’s a major business reason to add Rooney, as the LA Galaxy did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in March. Of course, there’s going to be a transfer fee, unless he has his contract terminated and is allowed a free transfer like Zlatan was. If a transfer fee is eventually negotiated, Rooney’s value on the transfer market is estimated to be $15 million. For what it’s worth, he’s making $10 million with Everton this season.

United is also struggling on the field. They finished last in the Eastern Conference last year, with a league-low 31 goals while surrendering 60 to lose a goal differential tie-breaker and finish as the worst team in MLS. So far this year, they have a tied for league-low five points with eight goals (second-worst in MLS) and a -5 goal differential. It is worth noting that five of their seven games have been on the road to this point.

Rooney hasn’t scored in Premier League play since December. But overall he has rebounded solidly this year after only scoring eight goals in limited playing time last year. He has also retired from the English national team, so he won’t be leaving a club to play in the World Cup this summer.

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In sore need of star power ahead of their stadium opening, DC United has had rumored interest in multiple international players. Rooney looks sure to be one that is ultimately added, even if his name is larger than his game at this point.