Ronald Koeman has admitted his openness to Wayne Rooney returning to Everton - and believes signing the former Blues star would make his first-team squad 'stronger.'
The Dutchman told Sky Sports (via The Guardian), during an access-all-areas day at Everton's USM Finch Farm training complex, that he would welcome Rooney back to Goodison Park with open arms if the opportunity arose to do so.
Rooney, who left the Toffees to join Manchester United almost 13 years ago, has been the subject of intense speculation over his future this term but, after revealing his intent to remain at Old Trafford following strong rumours of a move to China, Koeman says the prodigal son would be a coup for Everton if they could lure him back to Merseyside.
The 53-year-old said: I believe that Wayne Rooney is still playing at a high level. I think he made a good choice to stay at Manchester United and in the Premier League because he has still two or three years in front of him to play on a high level.
What will happen at the end of the season? I don't know but in my opinion he is one of the players who can make Everton more stronger. It's all about what the player likes, what Manchester United needs to do, and we are not involved in that project. But every player that we at Everton think can make the team stronger is welcome to Everton.�
Koeman's comments were backed up by the Blues' Director of Football Steve Walsh, who claimed that Rooney was one of the best players England - and Everton - have ever produced.
If Steve Walsh and Ronald Koeman believe Wayne Rooney would add quality to our squad then that's good enough for me. I believe in them.
He added: Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest players that has ever played the game in England and for us not to be interested would be wrong.
He started his career here and if the opportunity arose that he could come back and it sat well with everyone, it is something we would consider.
He is a class apart, he sees things, and all the things that have been said about Wayne are true. He comes into that category of being one of England's greatest ever players, so why wouldn't we be interested?
I think the whole thing would be euphoric. I think we could sell a lot of shirts, that's for sure. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Wayne is contracted to Manchester United and made a decision to continue to play for them. Let's wait and see what happens in the future.�
Rooney rose through the youth ranks at Everton before emerging as one of the biggest talents English football has seen in the past 20 years. His virtuoso strike against Arsenal in March 2002 put his name on the world map - as did the striker's superb displays at Euro 2004 - but the 31-year-old was branded a traitor by Blues fans that summer when he joined United in a £27m deal.
His relationship with Evertonians soured after that protracted transfer saga, but it has thawed in recent seasons after Rooney revealed he was bringing up his children as Everton supporters, and large swathes of the Goodison faithful would no doubt be open to the England captain returning if the near future if the chances presented itself.
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