Derby County owner Mel Morris has confirmed to talkSPORT his club are in talks over the surprise signing of England legend Wayne Rooney.

The former Three Lions captain has flown back to England to speak with the Rams over taking a player-coach role with the Championship side.

Rooney is keen to return home after one-and-a-half seasons with Major League Soccer’s DC United.

getty 2 Wayne Rooney has been in sensational form for DC United but is now ready to return to England to begin his coaching career

Dean Saunders is sure Wayne Rooney can still cut it in the Premier League says he'd be a good fit for Liverpool

The ex-Manchester United and Everton striker has starred in the United States, scoring 25 goals and assisting 13 in 46 appearances and also helping DC to last season’s MLS play-offs.

He was recently made captain and is contracted to the club until 2021, but on Monday it was claimed he was in negotiations over a surprise move to Derby.

And Morris joined talkSPORT host Jim White on Tuesday morning to confirm the rumours are true, and reveal Derby are ‘confident’ of completing a deal for the 33-year-old.

LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND GOSSIP goss Man United news: Final Sancho offer, France defender hints at transfer, new Telles fee Goss Arsenal news: Atletico 'convinced' on Partey, Lyon president talks Gunners finances goss Chelsea news: Key signing revealed, Rice 'personal terms agreed', midfielder should go GOSS Liverpool news live: German club tried to sign Jones, Brewster transfer setback NEWS Leicester's Tarkowski bid, Suarez seals move, Spurs bye, Akinfenwa 'let down' by FA TIME HAS COME Arsenal 'launch bid' for Lyon ace as Arteta accelerates pursuit of midfielder next on list Rice next? Lampard refuses to rule out more Chelsea signings before deadline swoop Leicester offer below asking price for Tarkowski, but Rodgers optimistic of deal

It is understood the deal will see Rooney go back to complete the remainder of the MLS season with DC United before joining up with Derby permanently in January on an 18-month contract, and Morris said the club are ‘focused’ on getting the deal over the line on Tuesday.

Asked about how the deal came about, the Rams chief said: “The starting point was that we understood Wayne was keen to return to the UK, and of course we had a look at the situation to see if we could do something on the back of that.

“I think the key thing is the conversation he had with [manager] Phillip Cocu was absolutely critical to the interest Wayne has.

“It’s never done until it’s done, but we are focused and very keen to get this over the line this morning.”

LIVE on talkSPORT Check out all the live commentaries coming up across the talkSPORT network this week Portsmouth vs Birmingham (Tuesday, 7:45pm) – talkSPORT 2

West Ham vs Manchester City (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT

Leeds vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday, 12:30pm) – talkSPORT 2

Crystal Palace vs Everton (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2

Tottenham vs Aston Villa (Saturday, 5:30pm) – talkSPORT

Premier League side Burnley and rival Championship club West Brom are also said to be keen on Rooney, but Morris remains confident his side lead the way.

“I’m sure once people hear news of this you are inevitably going to get [other] interest, but I’m confident this is something that we’ll get sorted out,” he added.

“From my side of it, why wouldn’t we want a player with his background? His playing career has been phenomenal; he’s demonstrated his leadership qualities over in America – who wouldn’t want at least the opportunity for this? I can guarantee Phillip Cocu is excited as I am about it.”

GETTY 2 Wayne Rooney is mid-way through his second season with DC United

And will signing Rooney affect Derby when it comes to meeting Financial Fair Play regulations?

Reports claim the club would have to secure commercial support for the deal to overcome FFP penalties.

And Morris added: “We’ve maintained all along that we want to be compliant with Financial Fair Play, and we see nothing in this deal that would change that stance.”

Listen back to talkSPOR’s interview with Derby County owner Mel Morris IN FULL above