According to reports in The Sun, Everton will complete the signing of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney this week on a free transfer – although they will continue to pay his £250,000-a-week wages – and Arsenal centre-forward Olivier Giroud will follow in a £20m deal.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Toffees manager Ronald Koeman is keen to significantly strengthen his squad this summer to ensure that they can try and push for a top four finish in the Premier League as well as competing in the Europa League next term, and he has already brought the likes of Jordan Pickford, Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez to the club.
However, the Dutchman isn’t done there and he looks set to bring Rooney back to Goodison Park 13 years after the England star quit the Merseyside outfit to move to the Red Devils, according to The Sun.
The 31-year-old has found first team football hard to come by in the last couple of seasons and he is ready to re-join Everton after being left out of United’s pre-season tour of America.
The Sun says that Giroud will join him in a new-look Toffees strike-force with Romelu Lukaku closing in on a £90m return to Chelsea.
How did Rooney and Giroud do last season?
Despite becoming more and more of a bit-part player and often playing in a deeper role, Rooney still scored eight goals and provided a further 10 assists for United in 39 appearances in all competitions last season.
Meanwhile, Giroud also became frustrated at a lack of first team starts as Alexis Sanchez was often preferred up top, although he ended the campaign with an impressive 16 goals in 40 total outings despite often finding himself on the substitutes’ bench.
Will they be good additions for Everton?
There is no doubt that signing the duo would certainly be a huge statement of intent.
While Rooney has looked past his best in recent years, a move away from United and fresh start could be exactly what he needs to rejuvenate his career, and Everton could reap the benefits of that.
Meanwhile, Giroud hasn’t always been a popular figure among Arsenal fans but his goalscoring record is impressive and the fact that he is a starter for France – who will be one of the favourites to win the 2018 World Cup – mean he could be a huge player for the Toffees if he completes a move to Goodison Park.
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