Report: Wayne Rooney Agrees 'In Principle' to £12M Deal with DC United

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Everton's Wayne Rooney is reportedly heading for Major League Soccer this summer, with a £12 million ($16.2 million) deal said to have been agreed "in principle" with D.C. United.

According to Sky Sports News, the Toffees' showdown with West Ham United is set to be the final time the former Manchester United and England man will play in the Premier League, with a deal to move to the United States struck.

"This latest deal was drafted over the past seven weeks, during several visits to the States by [Rooney's agent Paul] Stretford alongside D.C. United's chief executive Jason Levien," Sky Sports News reported.

It's added that while the agreement has not been finalised, it "would take a significant change of heart by Rooney and his family to stop the transfer going ahead."

The MLS club is hoping to confirm the deal on July 10, when the league's secondary transfer window opens.

Rooney returned to boyhood club Everton last summer after a remarkable spell at United, where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer. Squawka Football reminded us just how much the forward has achieved in English football:

Squawka Football@Squawka

Wayne Rooney is the only player to score 200+ goals and provide 100+ assists in the Premier League. 208 goals ⚽️ 103 assists 🅰️ A true Premier League legend. 🙌 https://t.co/jTiiQxmvQw

He started this campaign in excellent form, scoring on the opening day of the Premier League season against Stoke City and then against Manchester City in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

After the 3-1 win over Swansea City in December, the former England skipper had netted 10 goals and put up two assists in what had been an awful season for the Toffees. However, his form has since nosedived, with no goal or assist notched in the Premier League.

The EFC Statto account broke down the distinction between the two halves of Rooney's campaign:

EFC Statto@EFC_Statto

Rooney before and after Xmas: Before: Games - 16 Goals - 10 Assists - 2 Chances created - 22 Successful att. third passes pg - 9.3 Recoveries pg - 5.4 After: Games - 15 Goals - 0 Assists - 0 Chances created - 12 Successful att. third passes pg - 7.7 Recoveries pg - 4.5 #EFC

In fairness, those figures reflect a change in setup, with Everton boss Sam Allardyce using Rooney in a deeper midfield position since his appointment in late November.

But at 32, England's record goalscorer lacked the dynamism and discipline to play in the role against better teams in the division, most noticeably in recent outings against City and Liverpool; he was substituted in both of those matches.

Phil McNulty of BBC Sport reflected on what has been a mixed spell for Rooney:

Phil McNulty@philmcnulty

Wayne Rooney's return to Everton has not provided the fairytale ending to his Premier League that he wanted - but he was not a failure either. He provided some of the best moments in a joyless season at Goodison Park.

Alan Myers of Sky Sports praised the professionalism the Everton man has shown whenever he has donned the blue shirt:

Alan Myers@ALANMYERSMEDIA

Should he move on, whether he had a good game or not, Wayne always gave everything on the pitch this season, he had real desire and determination to win every game for Everton, which for me is a minimum, he never fell short of that. https://t.co/vt1eVRv4S6

MLS will pose an entirely different challenge for the forward if he moves. The travelling for away matches, for example, is a culture shock to many.

D.C. United will hope Rooney's arrival will give them a much-needed boost. They are bottom of the Eastern Conference, having won just one of their seven games this season.

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