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Wayne Rooney lands in U.S. ahead of talks with MLS' D.C. United

Wayne Rooney has landed in the United States ahead of talks with officials at Major League Soccer club D.C. United.

Pictures appeared of him landing in Miami ahead of catching a connecting flight to the capital.

Rooney's spokesperson confirmed earlier on Wednesday that he would meet bosses from the MLS side, but a source also told ESPN FC that the former Manchester United forward remains open-minded about a possible stay with Everton.

Everton's former England captain, who has one year left on his contract at Goodison Park, has been linked with a move to the Washington-based MLS club in recent weeks.

Rooney reportedly reached an agreement with the MLS club earlier this month, but with a second year remaining on the two-year contract he signed with Everton last summer, he could still decide that a move to the United States is not in his best interests.

No deal has been made between Everton and United but Rooney, 32, is in the United States for exploratory talks with the permission and in the full knowledge of the Merseysiders.

The trip is of a fact-finding nature to assess the opportunity that could exist should there be interest in a move.

Any transfer, however, would need to meet the approval of Everton. The final decision on any proposed deal would rest with the Premier League club.

Rooney was due to be accompanied on his trip to Washington by his long-time adviser Paul Stretford.

News of the visit first emerged in a report in the Washington Post on Wednesday and a spokesperson for the player confirmed that it is to take place in the coming days.

Everton have not commented.

Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce repeatedly stated his desire to have Rooney remain with the club, who he rejoined in July after 13 seasons with Manchester United, but Allardyce was sacked last week after just six months.

And D.C. United coach Ben Olsen said last week, when asked about Rooney, that the forward would "be pretty good" for the team.

Rooney, 32, scored a team-high 11 goals for Everton this season, making 37 appearances for his boyhood club. If he were to move to United, he would not be eligible to play until the transfer window opens on July 10.

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