Wayne Rooney in contact with Jesse Lingard over DC United transfer
Wayne Rooney has spoken with former teammate Jesse Lingard about bringing the player to DC United, 90min understands.
Lingard is a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Manchester United, where he played alongside Rooney 44 times between 2014 and 2017, winning Europa League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup titles.
Rooney was named DC United head coach earlier this week, but has serious work to do on a team sitting bottom of the overall MLS standings with just one win in their last 10 matches across all competitions - a run that includes a recent 7-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union.
90min sources confirm Rooney has reached out to Lingard about the possibility of reuniting at Audi Field.
The England international midfielder has received offers from Premier League clubs West Ham and Everton, as reported by 90min, but it's thought neither has yet met the player's salary expectations.
Another source told 90min Lingard is one of a large number of players Rooney has contacted to gauge interest in moving to the four-time MLS Cup champions.
Listen now to 90min's Talking Transfers podcast, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, Harry Symeou & Toby Cudworth. On the latest show they discuss Chelsea's interest in Antony and Serge Gnabry, why Man Utd have still not signed Frenkie de Jong, Man City's pursuit of Marc Cucurella and more. Available on all audio platforms and the 90min YouTube channel.
If you can't see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!
DC United have just one Designated Player (DP) on their books, Greece international forward Taxi Fountas, meaning they have the flexibility to sign Lingard - who would take up one of the Black and Red's remaining two DP spots and an international roster slot.
Lingard has already been heavily linked with a move to MLS with clubs from California and Florida initially looking like favorites for his signature, though DC United now appears more likely following Rooney's arrival.