Wayne Rooney's return to boyhood club Everton was seen as the perfect way for an England icon in the twilight of his career to see-out the remainder of his playing days. However, less than 12 months after going back to Goodison Park, it is being reported that the 32-year old wants to leave a year before the end of his contract.
Sky Sports News has reported that "a deal in principle" has been agreed between the Englishman and MLS franchise DC United for the player to join the club when the US transfer window opens in July. BBC Sport believes that the deal to buy-out the forward/midfielder's contract is worth around £12.5m.
With the Washington-based club currently sat at the foot of the Eastern Conference, with already little hope of a playoff finish so early in the season, Rooney could return to the Premier League on-loan during the off-season should he move. He would not be the first to do so - David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Thierry Henry and Liam Ridgewell are just a few who have used the winter break to play abroad on-loan.
Allardyce: "It would have to be massive for him to want to leave Everton"
Despite the claims of a deal having been struck, Toffees manager Sam Allardyce insists that Rooney wants to stay and believes that no-such deal is in place.
He said: "I've not had a problem from day one with Wayne (but) the Wayne Rooney saga continues on doesn't it?
My understanding is there seems to have been some negotiation along the line but as for clarity as to whether Wayne is staying or going we'll see later on."
The speculation has mounted with rumours of a rift between the player and Allardyce, stemming back to the goalless draw in the Merseyside Derby in April when Rooney was visibly unhappy with being substituted.
The whispers say that all is not well between the two, and that if the unpopular manager stays, then Rooney will look to leave.
If this is the case, then it is highly likely that rumoured interest from DC United will have turned the England all-time top scorer's head. An American adventure and a large wage packet could be the way that Rooney chooses to end his distinguished playing career.
What went so wrong for Rooney on his fabled Goodison return?
Wayne Rooney's 'one-last hurrah' with boyhood club Everton should have been a triumphant way of bowing-out after a stellar career with Manchester United and England. After 16 major trophies with the Red Devils and topping their all-time scoring charts, along with those of England, it was time to go home.
Ultimately, however, he was let down by poor timing, as Everton would have an awful season. Victory against West Ham on Sunday will guarantee them an eighth-place finish, a position that seems to reflect a decent campaign, but the sacking of Ronald Koeman in October and criticism of the team's style of play under Allardyce tell the truer story of nine months of poor performances and even worse recruitment.
Rooney was a rare light in their summer purchases, which promised so much but delivered so little by the way of quality. In an advanced role until Christmas, he scored 10 goals including a hat-trick against the Hammers in November but has not scored since in a more restricted central-midfield berth. This particular period was marred-slightly, however, when he was found guilty of a drink-driving charge in September.
This frustration of not being able to show his full goal-scoring repertoire as much as he would like, combined with those rumours of discontent could prove to be the catalyst behind any move that may surface. Despite Big Sam's protestations that his player will be sticking around, Rooney could still be DC-bound this summer.
