MLS: Transfer rumor mill highlights — Wayne Rooney going Stateside
By Daniel Garza
With the summer transfer window looming and domestic leagues across the globe finishing their seasons, the transfer rumor mill is in full rotation. Here are the best of the rumours, including a certain Wayne Rooney.
The transfer window is a time of hope and anticipation for all of MLS. In comes the new; out goes the old. All fans can dream of the new players that their team may sign; all fans can have hope for the future.
And as the summer transfer window nears, the rumour mill begins to whirr. Here are the highlights.
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One of the biggest stars to be linked to MLS is Wayne Rooney. The former Manchester United star and current Everton player is reportedly in talks with DC United. It has not been an easy season for Rooney, who has only managed to score four goals in 27 appearances in the Premier League, and he is seemingly nearing the end of his time in England.
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Despite his low scoring season, however, Rooney has still been a mainstay in the starting XI for Everton. In total, he has made 33 starts across all competitions. If DC United bring in the infamous forward, then it will undoubtedly be the highest profile signing in club history.
Goal-scoring has been a problem for DC early on in the 2018 season and the need for a quality striker needs to be addressed. DC currently ranks 21st in goal scoring in the league with eight goals. And this isn’t the only striker DC has been linked to as of late. Fernando Torres and Mario Balotelli have also surfaced in recent weeks as possible candidates to help lead the attack. Any of the three, you would think, offers a significant upgrade.
Another player from a huge European club to be linked with a move Stateside is Juventus utility man Stephan Lichtsteiner. Eurosport Italy reported he had been attracting interest from MLS as Lichsteiner will be leaving the club following the conclusion of the Serie A season.
The veteran Swiss international has years of experience playing in the Swiss Super League, Ligue 1 and Serie A. He has been at Juventus since 2011. At the moment, there have not been any clubs named as possible destinations. However, this may be one of the weaker rumors as Borussia Dortmund appear to be close to signing him.
Finally, Enner Valencia will be on the way out of Tigres following the Liga MX club’s loss in the quarterfinals of the Clausura. He scored three goals during this most recent campaign for Tigres.
The Ecuadorian forward has had a stellar career including a stint at West Ham United where he scored eight goals in 54 appearances. For his home country, he has scored 21 goals in 41 appearances.
Much like Lichtsteiner, however, no clubs have been named as possible candidates to sign Valencia, although, one would have to think DC United would be interested in bringing him in if they are unable to sign one of the strikers they are currently looking to make a move for.
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That is the word on the grapevine for now. There is sure to be much more, but it would be a remarkable summer if the likes of Rooney and Valencia did secure MLS moves.