Man United would like to accept an 'incredible offer' to take Wayne Rooney to China according to Manchester Evening News journalist Sam Luckhurst. Speaking to BBC Radio on Thursday, Luckhurst has spoken about the story that made quite the splash ahead of United's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Midtjylland.
The nature of the offer is such that United are inclined to cut ties with their captain and highest earner but the problem they face is that, despite his average form (although it must be said he's been far from their worst performer), Rooney is nonetheless one of the most marketable names at Old Trafford. With falling share prices, any hit they take in terms of losing a globally recognisable face would have to be offset by a replacement.
The likes of Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku may be more than welcome in terms of their on-field quality but it has been suggest that were Rooney to leave, neither of those players would fill the gap in terms of sponsorship appeal. In other words, if Rooney leaves, United are going to look to bring in someone of Bale/Neymar's stature to offset the loss of the former Everton man.
While the Chinese transfer window is still open, if the offer is accepted, Rooney wouldn't be leaving until the summer. And while the exact club has not been named, it is thought that United have already been offered £27 million for Rooney with the England striker expected to earn a quite simply unfathomable £500,000 a week over the next three years should he decide that he wants a slice of the Chinese dream.
Although the team has not been named explicitly, it is thought that Shanghai Greenland Shenhua are the most likely destination at this moment in time and if that is the case, then Rooney would be linking up with Obafemi Martins who became the latest high profile arrival in the far east after completing his move from Seattle Sounders yesterday.
You can listen to Luckhurst's thoughts on the deal below.
