Wayne Rooney Rumoured to Be Everton Transfer Target After January Loan Rejected

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could be on his way back to former club Everton in the summer after it was revealed the Toffees tried to sign the icon on loan in January.

Paul Joyce of The Times reported the Merseyside club "will intensify their efforts to recruit" the player they sold to the Red Devils in 2004.

Rooney has found himself on the fringes of the United first team since the arrival of manager Jose Mourinho, and the skipper only made the bench as his team won the EFL Cup against Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

The England superstar has been linked with moves away from Old Trafford in the past, and he recently issued a statement proclaiming his immediate future to the Manchester giants following fresh speculation.

The club's official website confirmed Rooney's statement:

"

Despite the interest which has been shown from other clubs, for which I’m grateful, I want to end recent speculation and say that I am staying at Manchester United.

I hope I will play a full part in helping the team in its fight for success on four fronts.

It’s an exciting time at the club and I want to remain a part of it.

"

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Rooney is no longer viewed as an essential cog in the United machine, and a switch back to his boyhood club makes sense as Everton progress in the Premier League standings.

The 31-year-old has started only eight Premier League games this season, scoring twice, according to WhoScored.com. He has appeared a further nine times from the bench as Mourinho uses the versatile attacker as a late impact option.

Simon Jones and Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail reported Rooney was ready to leave the Theatre of Dreams as he was unhappy with his lack of opportunities in Mourinho's squad, and he was considering making a switch to China in a big-money transfer.

Rooney's return to Everton would be met with fanfare by Toffees fans as the prodigal son returns to his roots. His career at United is winding down, and it is time for the striker to find more first-team minutes in the latter part of his career.