After spending years challenging at the top end of the table with Manchester United, this season has been an unfamiliar one for Wayne Rooney.

The former Everton prodigy returned to Goodison Park last summer after 13 trophy filled years with the Red Devils, seemingly with his powers on the wane.

Rooney managed to finish the season as the club’s top scorer, but it was far from an easy ride as the Toffees endured an uninspiring campaign.

After seeing less and less time on the pitch under Sam Allardyce tensions were rising, and Rooney and his representatives were reportedly open to offers from elsewhere.

Indeed, it had looked nailed on that Rooney would be joining the MLS with DC United.

Those rumours cooled after Big Sam was given his marching orders days ago.

However, according to The Mirror, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is still hoping that a move away for Rooney becomes reality – and it all comes down to money.

Moshiri was reportedly reluctant to sign Rooney in the first place due to his high wage demands, particularly given his age and decline in stature.

Rooney still commands an eye-watering £180,000 a week from the Merseyside club – a contract which Moshiri seems desperate to escape from.

It is further reported that Moshiri was left to fork out over £10 million in compensation to sack Allardyce and his backroom staff, leaving an even greater incentive to reduce the wage bill.

Rooney may well want to sit tight and see who takes the reigns at Goodison for next season – yet if the reports are true and Moshiri gets his way he could well be forced out of the door.

The past season can’t have been fun for Rooney with early relegation worries and turgid football under Allardyce - it may well be time for the striker to pack his bags and try something new.

If DC United do want him they’ll need to get their wallet out, he certainly won’t be going cheap.