The United captain could leave Old Trafford as early as next month
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could leave the club for China next month, with the transfer window in the Chinese Super League open until February 28.
A host of Chinese clubs are ready to offer the striker a £140 million deal, that will see him become the highest-paid player on the planet – earning £1 million a week.
Jose Mourinho and Red Devils chiefs are understood to be agreed on sanctioning the 31-year-old’s sale, with his influence on the team having dwindled this campaign.
Rather than considering his future in the summer, as previously anticipated, Rooney may have to up sticks mid-season in order to secure his big-money move to China.
That would, however, involve disrupting his family who are understood to be happy in Cheshire, although Rooney knows it is too good an opportunity to turn down at this stage in his career.
England and United’s all-time top scorer will surpass the £650,000-a-week his former United strike partner Carlos Tevez currently earns in Asia, after the Argentine moved to China earlier this month.
Rooney is understood to be of great marketing value in China and believe he is worth the £1 million a week that is on offer, which would, in total, surpass the wages he’s earned during his 17 years in the Premier League with Everton and United.
The Red Devils frontman has 18 months remaining on his current £300,000-a-week deal, but the club are ready to cash in early in order to prepare for their mega-money bid for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann in the summer.
That would, however, damage Rooney’s England chances for next summer’s World Cup – although he had previously stated his desire to retire from international football after that tournament, anyway.
