Rooney Turns Down Chinese Megabucks

 

The United and England captain Wayne Rooney says he is  staying with Manchester United following persistent speculation he could make a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League, AFP reports.

According to the British media, Paul Stretford, Rooney’s agent,  had been in China speaking to interested clubs but the 31-year-old Rooney insisted he was remaining at Old Trafford.

“Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United,” Rooney said in a statement released to Britain’s Press Association on Thursday. I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.

He said: “It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it.” Whose  current United contract runs until mid-2018, with the club holding the option to extend it by a further year.

Speculation over the  forward’s future intensified in recent weeks with Rooney often sidelined by United manager Jose Mourinho.

Chinese clubs said to be interested in Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer, included Guangzhou Evergrande, Beijing Guoan, Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian.

British media had reported that he could earn up to $1m  a week, making him the world’s best paid player, but Rooney’s statement has at least ended the debate over his future ahead of the closure of the CSL transfer window next Tuesday.

Rooney missed Wednesday’s Europa League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne through injury, but dominated conversation in France.

Rooney has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy since joining as an 18-year-old for £27m  from Everton in 2004.

Now the immediate football issue for Rooney will be whether he’s fit enough to play in Sunday’s League Cup final against Southampton at Wembley.

Questions over Rooney’s long-term future are bound to remain, however, and it is still possible that he could, at some stage, follow the likes of former United team-mate Carlos Tevez, ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar and striker Odion Ighalo, previously with Watford, in making a big-money move to the Far East.