Leon Osman is hopeful that Wayne Rooney returns to Everton in the summer.
The Manchester United attacker has endured a tough couple of years at Old Trafford and has come under fire for his underwhelming performances for his side.
Rooney moved to United from Everton in 2014 and is a boyhood supporter of the Merseyside outfit.
Osman, who left Goodison Park in 2016, thinks that the 31-year-old would be the perfect replacement for Romelu Lukaku if he opts to move away from the Toffees in his pursuit of Champions League football.
“I personally hope he comes to Everton, as an Everton fan” said Osman on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Monday night, as captured in a video on their official Twitter account.
“He’s got a few years left in the game certainly. He may have played his best football but he’s still a good enough player to be able to perform in the Premier League.
“Everton have got an uncertainty about Lukaku and they’re in Europe again next season so there’s a number of games there.”
Where next for Rooney… Everton? America? China?@Osman21Leon @JohnHartson10 and Jonathan Northcroft discuss. pic.twitter.com/WEjN5lDx8Q
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) May 29, 2017
Rooney made 71 appearances for Everton in the early days of career and scored 15 goals before moving to Old Trafford 13 years ago.
The 119-times England international, who is the record goal scorer for his nation, has made 559 appearances in all competitions for Man United and scored 198 goals.
He has come accustomed to winning major honours with United and five Premier League titles and one Champions League winners medal are perhaps the highlight of what has been a glittering career for the Liverpool-born icon.
Lukaku, 24, has been a top target for Chelsea for some time now and has already snubbed a new contract at Everton.
Ronald Koeman is preparing for Europa League football next season, which Rooney’s United are currently holders of, following his side’s impressive seventh-placed finish in the league this year.