English soccer icon Wayne Rooney has agreed in principle to a £12.5 million (approx. $16.8 million) deal to join DC United of the MLS this summer, according to multiple reports.
Sky Sports reported the move has been in the works for as long as seven weeks, and, according to the BBC, Rooney's representatives have been in the United States to discuss the details of the move.
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DC United on Wednesday offered a "no comment" to Omnisport on a potential deal. The U.S. transfer window doesn't open until July.
Per Sky Sports:
"The agreement, which runs to the end of the MLS season in 2020, is yet to be signed, but [Sky Sports News] understands it would take a significant change of heart by Rooney and his family to stop the transfer [from] going ahead."
The former Manchester United star, 32, signed a two-year deal, reportedly with a third-year option, in July 2017 to return to Everton of the Premier League.
Earlier this month, Everton manager Sam Allardyce — whose future with the club also is up in the air — said he wanted Rooney to stay, dismissing rumors that England's record goal-scorer would leave.
Rooney is Everton's top scorer with 11 goals this season but has shown his displeasure at times, most notably when he reacted angrily to being substituted against Liverpool in a 0-0 draw last month. In reporting earlier this week that Rooney and DC United were in "serious talks," The Washington Post added he "has grown frustrated" at Goodison Park.
Rooney spent 13 seasons with Manchester United, becoming the club's record goal-scorer while leading the team to five Premier League titles.
D.C. United Schedule
| 5/12 | at Real Salt Lake | 9 p.m. ET |
| 5/19 | at San Jose | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| 5/26 | at LAF | 10 p.m. ET |
| 6/9 | at Seattle | 10 p.m. ET |
| 6/13 | at Toronto | 8 p.m. ET |
| 6/30 | at New England | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 7/4 | at LA Galaxy | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| 7/14 | vs. Vancouver | 7 p.m. ET |
| 7/21 | at Atlanta | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| 7/25 | vs. NY Red Bulls | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 7/28 | vs. Colorado | 7 p.m. ET |
| 8/4 | at Montreal | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 8/12 | vs. Orlando | 6 p.m. ET |
| 8/15 | vs. Portland | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 8/19 | vs. New England | 6 p.m. ET |
| 8/26 | at NY Red Bulls | 7 p.m. ET |
| 8/29 | vs. Philadelphia | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 9/2 | vs. Atlanta | 5:30 p.m. ET |
| 9/8 | at NYCFC | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| 9/12 | vs. Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 9/16 | vs. NY Red Bulls | 1 p.m. ET |
| 9/29 | vs. Montreal | 7 p.m. ET |
| 10/7 | vs. Chicago | 1 p.m. ET |
| 10/13 | vs. FC Dallas | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| 10/17 | vs. Toronto | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| 10/21 | vs. NYCFC | 3 p.m. ET |
| 10/28 | at Chicago | 4:30 p.m. ET |
