Will Wayne Rooney go to another Premier League club?

Wayne Rooney has lost his place in the Manchester United starting lineup. The forward has been in decline for a while now, and it seems that he is no longer important to United. The 31-year-old, who has also operated as a midfielder, has started only nine Premier League matches for the Red Devils so far this season, scoring two goals and providing five assists in the process. During the 2015-16 campaign, Rooney scored eight goals and created 42 chances in 28 league matches for the Old Trafford outfit.

Rooney has been on the books of United since 2004 and has a contract until June 2019, but the England international has consistently been linked with moves away from Old Trafford. There have been reports of him moving to China, while his former club Everton have been linked with a summer bid. It seems that the 31-year-old’s time at United is coming to an end. Even if Rooney plays his part in guiding Jose Mourinho's side back into the Champions League, it is hard to see him remain part of the Portuguese manager’s plans for the 2017-18 campaign.

Despite being in his early 30s, Rooney still has the quality to play at the top level. A Premier League title-challenging United next season may not have space for the veteran forward, but the former Everton star could still do a job for other clubs in the English top flight. What do they say? Form is temporary; class is permanent.

Below, we have outlined some of the clubs in the Premier League who should make a move for Rooney in the summer transfer window:

Everton
Everton may not be able to break into the top six of the Premier League this season, but the Merseyside outfit are planning big things in the future. Under Ronald Koeman, the Toffees are aiming to compete for the Champions League places in the coming years, and Rooney would be a good addition to the squad. What Everton lack at the moment are players who have experience of playing at the very top level, such as the Champions League, and of winning trophies. The 31-year-old has won the Premier League title five times, the FA Cup once, and the Champions League on one occasion. Moreover, Rooney started his professional club career at Everton, and the Goodison Park faithful still have fond memories of him. Going back ‘home’ to Everton would work for both the club and the player. The veteran would also be able guide the plethora of young and talented players that Everton have at the moment, such as Ross Barkley and Tom Davies.

West Ham United
West Ham United are having a disappointing season, but they could still end up in the top ten of the Premier League this season. The Hammers are 11/2 to finish in the top half of the table with the likes of Ladbrokes, who are also offering up to £50 in matched bets for new customers. The London outfit, though, will need to make changes to their squad in the summer, and one of the players they should look at is Rooney. The England international may not be as dynamic as he was when he was younger, but manager Slaven Bilic could deploy him in the number 10 role and allow him freedom to go further up the pitch. The departure of Dimitri Payet in the January transfer has left a hole in the team; Rooney could fill it.

Newcastle United
Newcastle United are in the Championship at the moment, but it looks very likely that they will get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season. Although Rafael Benitez’s side may not win the Championship title, they should at least finish second and clinch the final automatic promotion spot. Rooney is a player that the Magpies should look at in the summer transfer window. True, wages would be a problem, but if that particular issue can be resolved, then Newcastle would be getting a stunning footballer who could drive them towards the top ten. Rooney would be a marquee signing that would get the St. James’ Park faithful feeling optimistic about the 2017-18 campaign.

West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion have made great strides this season and are on course to finishing in the top half of the Premier League table. Tony Pulis’s side, though, are still not an attractive team to watch and lack pace up front. Rooney may not fill that particular gap in the team, but his arrival at The Hawthorns would be massive for the club. The 31-year-old would be the most high-profile player the Baggies have signed in recent years, and he would be the best player in the squad right away. Of course, wages and transfer fees are going to be a concern, but Rooney would excite the fans at The Hawthorns.