Koeman could entertain signing Rooney

Personally I would rather see us get a proper midfielder with a less miles on the clock.

Mata would be on my list not Rooney.

Santa: "And would you like Everton to sign Rooney?"

Joseph: "No, I want Mata and Messi and Ronaldo and Suarez..."

Much ado about nowt!!

There were a lot of rumours that Everton were in for Mata in the last window; it didn't seem unrealistic to me at the time, I thought we had a good chance of signing him.

Messi, Suarez, Ronaldo? he is nowhere near that level.

Sorry if I am a little over-ambitious, I am just underwhelmed when we are talking about signing Rooney at this point of his career – surely there are better options out there?

And, last but not least in this fantasy island thing, Mourinho might like to have a think about if he wants to let somebody go who will maybe improve us...

Why should we have to put up with him now? He is an old man, well past his best, and would cost a fortune.

I can't see how the likes of Barry, Cleverley, McCarthy, Barkley, Lennon, Gibson, Kone, Deulofeu, or Mirallas are in his league, but that's just my opinion (and Koeman's).

We need a spark like when we signed an injury prone Andy Gray, and look how that turned out. Rooney might have the same effect on the team.

For the record, if he dropped his wage substantially, I would take him back, simply because he wouldn't make the squad worse. His experience would be invaluable and I honestly believe he would raise his game in the twilight of an amazing career.

Yes, he has been mostly ineffective for the last two years but that can happen. I remember lots of people on here questioning the acquisition of Barry. He has had indifferent games but has in the main been fantastic for us.

Roo, Roo,
I just want you,
I love the things that you do,
Come on
Love a me too
Oh Wont you come here, Roo Roo Roo?

Ta Alvin.

Sorry guys it's a long day with no footie.

Salesman: "Hello, sir, we have a range of vehicles with low miles and not many years under their belt; could I interest you in one of them?"

Eugene: "Err, no ta, I want to buy that one over there, I used to own that 12 years ago, it was a good car then."

Salesman: "But, sir, we have cheaper newer models that could suit your needs much better than that old car; also, I believe that it has been driven non-stop very fast since you last owned it."

Eugene: "Na, them newer better ones are out of my league. I will just have me old one, I don't care if it costs more."

Would he improve us? Yes, I guess so.

Would I be pleased to get him? Right now, I think he'd massively improve us.

I think I've answered my own question but it would irk me deep down. I've never approved of him leaving us.

Depending on who you believe, Everton was facing Administration – possibly for the 3rd time under Kim Jong Bill's tenure (Smith claimed it was close twice when he was in charge).

The squad at that time had next to zero saleable assets, apart from Rooney. His injury in the Euros was a blessing to Everton as they could draw out the transfer up to deadline day, and then spread the payments so there could be no clamour from us mugs that support the team to spend it.

No – the two situations are not the same. >One of the key arguments against Wayne Rooney is that we should be signing players on the up and for the future.

Is that Wayne Rooney? Not from where I'm looking. He's past his best (and would still be relatively expensive for us).

I hope Walsh works his magic and finds a hidden gem or two.

Yes, our team is struggling right now, but is he really going to improve us?? I don't think do.

Mike, he hasn't said he wants to come back here. This is all media shite again. I can't believe anyone's giving it any credence and discussing the ins and outs of how we'd afford it etc...

Absolute bullshit – the lot of it!

If he comes back, I don't think I've ever seen a "real life" Prodigal Son story like this.

Went down the road 30 or so miles to make his fortune, bed women, live lasciviously, and chase all the material things that make you happy in the short term but leave you hollow inside.

And if he comes home, I think we should slaughter a fattened calf and party like its 19 ninety-fuckin'-nine.

The Prodigal Son was penniless, Wayne is brewsted. Forget it, Jamie, it's just paper talk.

Think about it, there is no way what it will happen. I loved Wayne... a great player when he was here, but that fella is long gone.

The lad has a good two seasons in him and he could become a long-term signing becoming part of the coaching set-up.

Another factor is down to what Rooney wants if he's not wanted by Man Utd. He plays a big factor in his own future – not that bellend Mourinho.

No chance of him receiving the 'Barkley treatment' either, he's just too good for that. Plus we might just win a game over at the dark side for a change.

Under Martinez and recently everyone was "all we do is sign players for the future – we need players to improve the team and squad now" and then, as soon as it's Wayne Rooney, it's "we need players for the future" ... Pathetic!

Rooney is better than Barkley, Mirallas, Kone, Deulofeu, Bolasie, Valencia and arguably Lukaku... so why would we not want him???

Wages? Who cares, our new owner who promises the universe and delivers us, the money we got from selling Stones will be paying for it.

It's a statement of intent, a signing that will create world headlines, will affirm that the new charlatan in charge isn't just Billy Mk 2 and will improve the team and squad.

He went away to the consternation of all. If he comes back, it's absolutely the Prodigal Son story.

I'll concede the whole wallet thing on the return trip – but he did leave to make his millions, à la the Jesus parable!

Or maybe Mr Koeman will give one of the reserve players a chance.

Another slant on this would be that, regardless of supporter and pundit opinion, Wayne Rooney still commands massive respect amongst the global player community.

If (big IF) he was to return, would that be an influential factor in attracting and retaining other players?

Stephen Gerrard was finished years ago but his influence resonated across the park and continues to do so; if they brought him back in a coaching / ambassador role, it would be considered a coup.

Difference is that Gerrard played the majority of his career at Liverpool whereas Rooney left and played his best years away from Everton; however – much to the annoyance of many Manchester United supporters and despite the initial fractured relationship with us – Wayne has never let go of his Everton roots; you can't after all.

So, with that in mind, I'll come off the fence. I don't think it would be a bad move, albeit not necessarily to see a Wayne Rooney in his prime play for Everton, but there could be other benefits. Agree or not, he is recognisable in the crazy world of modern football and it could raise our global profile, however temporary.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?

Talk about low hanging fruit. Rooney is all but finished which is to be expected considering he started his career at 16.

No room for sentiment – we should be looking to the future under Moshiri – not the past.

"Anything. Absolutely anything at all, Wayne. 

You name it son. Whatever it takes to bring our boy wonder back home where he belongs.

**Pssst, Bob. Bob! I'm on fire here.  Piece of piss these negotiations. Get a press conference sorted for tomorrow. ASAP ** ."

CUT TO: THE NEXT DAY:

" I can assure every Evertonian with an achy breaky heart that we tried our absolute best to make it happen and, boy oh boy, were we close. 

Wayne's crayon was literally hovering less than a centimetre above the contract at one point. Think Ronnie Corbett's Cyclopean chap stick. That's how close we came. That's how close the dream was to becoming a reality. If Wayne's fingers were just a little bit chubbier it would have been even closer. 
 
In the end, it was Wayne wanting one of those metal poles with a tennis ball tethered to it that you twat back and forth for five minutes until you realise it's boring as fuck or just can't be arsed untangling it anymore, and a mint 12" copy of 'Heartbeat' by bare ankled, soft-rock sensation Don Johnson, formerly of Miami Vice (and the rigorous minge diddling fantasies of a few middle aged dinner ladies back in the day), that really brought  matters to a head. 

I mean where would it end? He could ask for a Colt Seavers action figure to go with his pedal powered Fall Guy truck and a fucking Cabbage Patch Kid next.

I can't, in good conscience, countenance that sort of outlay. You can't risk the financial sure-footedness of a football club by frivolously chucking money away on once top of the range, hot-ticket items of yesteryear, turned today's outdated old tat, can you?

So, I said 'Sorry Wayne. We really, really want to see a slower paced 31 year old shadow of that 16 year old who so excited us, six months after the Sierra Leone civil war ceased, strutting his stuff on the Goodison surface once again, but we'll never progress if we carry on down the path of purchasing past it's 'sell by' date stuff we don't need,  just for the sake of it or because we can. It's not extreme couponing FFS.'

And do you know what Wayne said in reply? "No, Uncle Bill. It's not. It's Exquisite Chairman...ing."

I was really taken aback by that. How profound. How mature. Not only that Wayne actually knew the word 'exquisite', but also that he didn't believe it was some sort of game where you phone a past girlfriend and start asking her who she's shagging these days and how you compare. 

Then we both broke down and wept and I was filled with a tremendous sense of pride at how far the boy had come since he fucked us off without a second thought all them years ago."

Koeman has some talented youngsters ready to seize their chances and a man with the experience and brain of Rooney might just be what the doctor ordered to help them settle in. Like most of us, we are sick and tired of inconsistent players at Goodison which is the reason they have done nothing for so many seasons.

These players play a handful of decent games and then fade, either through injuries or attitude. Hopefully Koeman will get this situation sorted before too long.

Can't see this being a good idea on any level but, then again, Everton do love to be charitable and give aging players one last bumper contract before they hang their boots up.

When Rooney leaves Man Utd, I can see him going to China on some ridiculous contract, earning a £20m+ annual salary. Personally I don't want to see him back.

Let's flip it and just say that we are in the hunt for one of the worlds top footballers who has been a record goal scorer for his previous club, he is The all time leading goal scorer for his nation and has just turned 32 meaning he has another two or three years left to offer...

Then let's say that our beloved club has been in dire need of a striker to assist Lukaku and a "Number 10" Well this player above fits the bill for both those roles. Let's also say this player is likely to "up" his game given that he supports our club and is likely to give 100% every game regardless.

Let's also say, as some have quite rightly pointed out, that this player is a world renowned star and any potential signing will be more convinced than, say, if we said he would be training partners with Kone week-in and week-out.

Absolute no-brainer – and anyone who suggests otherwise needs to take a long long look at the facts and not let the name even come into it...

Fact is, he likely will not be able to cut it at Premier League level next season (he can barely cut it now). Whilst he'd be an improvement on the likes of Kone and Niasse today. I'm not expecting either player to still be at the club next season. Koeman didn't sign them and will no doubt look for replacements.

Personally I'd prefer those replacements to be younger and not pay a fortune for an aged player whose best days are in the past. I guess we might be able to sell some more shirts in China but I can't see him adding much on the pitch. Just my opinion.

He has achieved... now, we want him back? It would send out a second-rate team message. He is not that good anymore, lost his mojo now he has kids, lost his nasty side.

Kenwright was just as much a party to his leaving us as was Rooney who – at the time – made the right decision for all parties. Grow up!

Strootman would be perfection if he were to be available. But dream on.

I would take Rooney on a loan though his paycheck is outrageous and I'm not sure how much financial sense it makes.

Look at Owen and Fowler across the park, both played from 17 years of age and both washed up before 30. Roo is going the same way, we don't need him.

Here's hoping that maybe Ross Barkley's progression is more akin to a natural one. In old school currency, a midfielder would peak around 26-28 years of age, not 21-22 like the Sky TV fueled hype and over-expectation now demands. Let's not ruin the lad before he's even started.

Back on thread, my interest in the Rooney possibility is more than just what he can or cannot do on the pitch anymore. As I said earlier, like it or not, agree or disagree, he has global influence within the game, which could benefit any club he chooses to join. I suspect if he stays in England, it will be with Man Utd or Everton. Otherwise he'll head to the MLS or China.