Transfer Centre

Ronald Koeman: "Wayne Rooney is very welcome at Everton"

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 October 2016

Everton manager Ronald Koeman 'hopes' to bring Wayne Rooney back to Goodison Park in the near future, but says that he is unsure how likely it is to happen.

Ronald Koeman has reiterated that he would be interested in bringing Manchester United outcast Wayne Rooney back to Everton next year.

The England international has now gone seven games since last starting for the Red Devils, having been dropped to the bench prior to picking up a recent knock.

Rooney was back in the United squad for the goalless draw against Burnley on Saturday afternoon, being afforded 20 minutes at the end of the game, but the 31-year-old's future at Old Trafford beyond the end of the current campaign has been questioned by many.

Speaking on Friday, Koeman admitted that he "would be very pleased" to sign Rooney - views he has now added to following his side's 2-0 win over West Ham United this afternoon.

"How likely is it [to happen]? I don't know, we can hope," he told Sky Sports News. "Maybe if it happens in the future I don't know. Rooney is very welcome at Everton."

Los Angeles Galaxy have also been linked with Rooney in recent days, though former general manager Alexi Lalas has warned that it would be a bad move for the Major League Soccer side.