News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » Everton confirm record Rooney offer

Everton confirm record Rooney offer

July 19, 2004 20:09 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Everton say they have offered their coveted England striker Wayne Rooney a club record wage of 50,000 pounds a week to stay at the club.

Everton owner Bill Kenwright told Sky Sports News he was hopeful of keeping the 18-year-old, who has been tipped to move away from Goodison Park after making a big impression at Euro 2004.

"I suppose, going into this next season, we were thinking probably 'double-your-money, we'll double what you are on now'," Kenwright said on Monday.

"But (Everton manager) David Moyes said, 'Look, he's the best player in the world and I want to support the best player in the world. I'd like him to become my captain and I think we should offer him the highest wage in our history.

"And I agreed totally and offered him the 50,000 pounds a week. That is not a joke offer, that is the offer in the contract."

Everton said earlier this month that they had offered Rooney a new five-year contract without revealing the financial terms. Rooney's current contract, signed in January 2003, has two years to run.

"Certainly a sale of Wayne Rooney would revitalise the club's finances but a five-year contract would also revitalise the club because the fact is we would have kept one of the major stars of world football," Kenwright added.

The Liverpool-born teenager has been linked with possible moves to several leading European clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid since his sparkling displays for England in Portugal last month.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024