Wayne Rooney: Manchester United and England captain targeted by Chinese Super League
The CSL has recently signed a TV deal worth more than £800m and hopes Rooney can become the face of Chinese football
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Wayne Rooney is being targeted as the face of the revamped Chinese Super League as China tries to establish itself as a major football nation, according to reports.
The Manchester United and England captain, who turned 30 last month, has struggled for goals despite his club’s fine start to the season, netting just twice in 11 Premier League fixtures.
The striker has three years left on his £300,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford, but according to The Sun the CSL believes Rooney can be tempted into finishing his career with a lucrative move to Asia.
The league has recently signed a TV deal worth more than £800m, while President Xi Jinping has made it clear he wants China to become a footballing superpower.
Robinho, Tim Cahill and Demba Ba have already signed up to CSL clubs, while Sven Goran Eriksson and Luis Felipe Scolari both manage teams in the league.
However, organisers believe the tempting of England’s leading ever scorer would prompt other big-names to join the league.
United enjoy a huge following in China, with President Xi a self-confessed Red Devils fan, and the club reportedly planning a pre-season tour of the nation next year.
Rooney missed United's 2-1 victory against Watford at the weekend with a virus, but is expected to return when the Reds welcome PSV tomorrow night.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments