Everton had a bid for Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney rejected in January, reports The Mirror.

What's the word?

In the final few months of 2016 there were rumblings that Toffees manager Ronald Koeman was thinking about making a move for Rooney.

Now, The Mirror confirms that the 31-year-old's former club tried to get him back in January, but the Red Devils knocked them back.

On Thursday, Rooney released a statement insisting that he is staying at United, which dispelled rumours that he could join a Chinese Super League club before next week's deadline in the Far East.

It does not, however, mean that the forward will not depart from the 20-time English champions in the season.

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Is a return to Everton realistic?

Moving back to Goodison Park would give Rooney a better chance of regular first-team football.

The England skipper has started just eight Premier League games under Jose Mourinho and has scored five goals in all competitions.

Despite recently becoming United's all-time leading scorer, it seems clear that Rooney will not figure prominently under the Portuguese coach.

There is no guarantee that the forward would be the first name on the teamsheet at Everton, but having the calibre of Rooney in their ranks could be the difference between sealing European football or missing out.

Of course, the Liverpool-born player does not have the dynamism or quality that he once possessed, but at 31 he is still capable of a meaningful contribution.

A sticking point for Rooney, though, could be wages. He is thought to be on a mammoth salary at Old Trafford, but he will not be offered close to that at Everton.

It would be a fitting ending for the attacker if he were to return to his boyhood club for the final years of his career, so it might be worth taking a pay cut to fulfil that.

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