Everton are braced to sell Wayne Rooney to Manchester United when the teenage striker returns from his Caribbean holiday this week.
Goodison Park director Paul Gregg admitted it is ”incredibly sad” that the club has to even think about offloading their 18-year-old superstar.
”I wish we could persuade him to stay. It’s sad other forces make decisions for us,” Gregg told BBC Radio.
”This is home-bred talent who has not had the chance to mature. We’ve not had the full benefit of his talent yet.”
Gregg added: ”He’s a big ambassador for Everton Football Club, so of course we’d like to see him stay.
”I sincerely hope he will still be here when the season kicks off but unfortunately it may be other forces which make the decision for us.”
Everton owner Bill Kenwright admitted on Monday the sale of Rooney will ”revitalise” the club’s finances.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid have all been linked with the striker, who scored four goals for England at Euro 2004.
But Chelsea’s £24-million signing of Côte d’Ivoire striker Didier Drogba from French side Marseille rules them out.
And reports said Manchester had a secret agreement with Rooney’s management team and the player would refuse Everton’s £50 000-a-week offer to stay a further five years at a club that is £40-million in debt. — Sapa-AFP