Reports have surfaced linking Everton attacker, Wayne Rooney to DC United. The 32-year-old seems to have grown frustrated in his return-season to his boyhood club, despite being a cemented starter under Sam Allardyce.
The Toffees are unsure about keeping ‘Big Sam’ beyond this season due to his failure of not playing attractive enough football. The former England head coach has characteristically dug the team out of the bottom-three but Farhad Moshiri has higher ambitions for the club.
Amidst those expectations, Rooney might just also be a misfit within the Everton ranks. The former Manchester United striker has played in deep midfield positions for most of the season and remains the club’s highest scorer with 11 goals.
His scoring did come to a grounding halt at the start of the year but the Englishman has still been decently impactful. His experience and composure have proven to be key in formulating the team’s attacks.
Whatever decline Rooney has faced in terms of athleticism, he more than makes up for it with his high work rate and composure on the pitch.
Keeping him in the squad would have been ideal but since the player remains unsettled at Goodison, we have to look into potential replacements. Here are a few players Everton should target for the summer transfer window.
Bobby Reid
The Bristol City man who is coming off his best season with the Robins has quite deservedly caught the eyes of a number of top-flight clubs. The 25-year-old has been involved in 29 goals for the Championship outfit this season. He has been converted into a shadow striker but was primarily an attacking midfielder.
Bristol has activated their one-year extension clause with the player which would keep him at Ashton Gate for another 12 months. The player has not yet signed the long-term deal that was offered to him. Surely he deserves a look from Everton.
Joel Asoro
The 19-year-old versatile attacker has been earning rave reviews despite his team, Sunderland facing their second consecutive relegation to the League One.
Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall, he might not look like much but can certainly hold his own against experienced defenders. Obviously, the ridiculous turn of pace and close control helps in that aspect including a growing eye for the goal.
Read More: Everton Extend The Contract Of Highly Promising Midfield Ace: Huge Boost For The Toffees?
Jay Rodriguez
West Brom have sadly been relegated to the Championship and the 28-year-old could well be on his way out of the Hawthorns this summer. Rodriguez seemed to have really come into his own in the latter half of the campaign to help his team make the final push for survival. He can play in almost every role in the final third, especially well off the number nine position.
