Recent footbal transfer rumors have indicated that Everton manager Ronald Koeman would like to sign Wayne Rooney if the Manchester United captain is no longer needed at the Old Trafford.

Rooney, 31, has been left on the bench by United head coach Jose Mourinho during the last several weeks as he is "out of favor" under the new coaching staff, according to SkySports.

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The England captain's advancing age and reported diminishing skills were said to be the reasons why Mourinho has opted not to field him these past few weeks. World record transfer signee Paul Pogba has been playing Rooney's usual No. 10 role these days.

Rooney was also taken out of the England national team's starting XI by current caretaker-manager Gareth Southgate, and speculations abound that it was the same reason Mourinho had that caused his demotion.

However, Koeman is reportedly adamant that Rooney's playing days are not over and he "still has a lot to offer," adding that he would welcome him back to the Goodison Park if possible.

"He is a great player, he has still not finished his career," said Koeman, via BBC Sport. "I do not know how his situation is, and I need to respect that situation."

"That's not my problem," Koeman added. "But even when we get one time the possibility that Rooney is an option for Everton, I'm very pleased."

Everton began the season strongly with a five-game unbeaten run. Things are not looking good, though, for the Toffees lately as they dropped to the sixth spot in the overall standings after going on a four-game winless slide.

"We know if you don't win in four games then you get closer to a must-win game," Koeman said with regards to his team's current winless streak. "We want to turn things around."  

"We're prepared,: he added. "It's not always sunny and everything doesn't always go right but we need to support each other."

Rooney began his senior career with Everton back in the 2002-2003 Premier League season. He played two years for the Toffees before he was signed by United in the summer of 2004 for $31 million.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2016, Everton FC, Ronald Koeman, Wayne Rooney, Manchester United