The Chinese soccer revolution seems to be spreading its roots underneath all the talk of competition and loyalty spoke about and in the Premier League. They have already targeted and succeeded in unsettling players of teams like Chelsea and if reports are to be believed, they are ready to go one-step further and make perhaps the biggest statement of them all by signing Wayne Rooney in a mega £60m-a year deal.
Rooney, 31, became Manchester United’s all-time top scorer yesterday when he bagged his 250th goal in the 1-1 draw at Stoke. The England captain currently earns £300,000 a week and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Although he has now become the highest goalscorer in their history, Rooney has been, for a long time now, past his peak. He has lost his starting spot in the team and with Jose Mourinho likely to bring in new faces in the summer, a move to China won’t be the last thing on the 31-year old’s mind.
And for someone who is nearing his end at a club like United, a 1-million a week offer will mean even if he spends 2 years in China, he will earn more than he earned throughout this career at Old Trafford. And with the added incentive of not having to join any of his club’s rivals, the option is not all that bad.
But the departure of such a talisman and club legend will certainly need replacements and with the sort of transfers we have seen under Mourinho, it will be akin to a blockbuster.
Let us take a look at three possible replacements for the England star if he does leave-
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
The French superstar has quickly climbed the ladder and is almost at the pinnacle at such an early age. The star man for club and country, the Atletico Madrid striker is on the wish list of a number of European biggies and Manchester United are supposedly at the front of the queue. His signature will probably require a world-record fee which won’t be out of reach for the Old Trafford outfit.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
The Borussia Dortmund striker has been flirting with the likes of Real Madrid for quite a while now raising questions about his long-term future at Dortmund. While the dream move may not materialise, he might be tempted by a move to England.
His wages will be significantly higher and with someone like Jose Mourinho at the helm and United’s potential to dominate in Europe once more, the attraction is certainly there.
KARIM BENZEMA
The experienced Real Madrid marksman has lost his starting spot in the team and with the compulsion of playing second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo at all times certainly overbearing, he could indeed decide to seek challenges elsewhere. The class and quality are undeniable and he might want to experience the Premier League and be the main man up top for a change.
