Wayne Rooney's agent in China as speculation mounts over future

Wayne Rooney's agent Paul Stretford is in
China speaking to clubs interested in
signing the Manchester United captain,
Press Association Sport understands.
Momentum is building over the 31-year-old
potentially leaving Old Trafford, with the
riches on offer in the Chinese Super League
a tantalising prospect.
It is understood Stretford is meeting with
interested parties, reported to include B
eijing Guoan, Guangzhou Evergrande,
Jiangsu Suning and Tianjin Quanjian, as
Rooney weighs up his options.
However, it is understood that a move
before the Chinese transfer window shuts
on Tuesday remains highly unlikely to occur.
Rooney has dominated the agenda this
week despite missing Wednesday's Europa
League last-32 second leg in Saint-Etienne
through injury.
The 31-year-old's place in Sunday's EFL Cup
final against Southampton is in doubt as a
result, but that was a mere side note in
France after United boss Jose Mourinho
fuelled rather than extinguished speculation.
"You'll have to ask him," Mourinho said in a
press conference when asked about
Rooney's future. "You have to ask him.
"Of course I can't guarantee (he will be
here). I can't guarantee that I'm here next
week, how can I guarantee that a player is
here next season?
"What I can guarantee is that if Wayne one
day leaves the club it is not because I want
him to leave the club. That's the only thing I
can guarantee.
"I would never push - or try to push - a
legend of this club to another destiny.
"So you have to ask him if he sees himself
staying in the club for the rest of his career
or if he sees himself moving.
"It is not a question for me because I am
happy to have him."
Pushed on whether it was possible Rooney
could leave in the next week, Mourinho
retorted: "You have to ask him, not me.
"I was very open with you with my answer. I
don't want him to leave."
The comments are understood to have
surprised the representatives of a player
whose deal at Old Trafford runs until next
summer, with United holding an option to
extend it by a further year.
Rooney's lack of game time has led the
England captain to consider his options.
A return to boyhood club Everton or a move
to Major League Soccer could be other
avenues, but such destinations are unlikely
to offer wages anywhere near those
available in China.
Former United team-mate Carlos Tevez,
former Chelsea midfielder Oscar and former
Watford striker Odion Ighalo are among
those to have recently made big-money
moves to the Far East.
However, a switch to China might well bring
Rooney's England career to an abrupt end.
The country's all-time top scorer has won
119 caps and is closing in on Peter Shilton's
record of 125 appearances.
Rooney has already announced plans to
retire from international football after next
year's World Cup in Russia.