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This Evertonian was having none of it.

The topic of Wayne Rooney was on the agenda, and the rebuttal was almost as firmly struck as one of the boyhood Blues' thunderous volleys.

“He's not good enough,” came the reply. “Signing him will not improve the team.”

It seemed a somewhat harsh dismissal of the Manchester United and England record goalscorer who has won five Premier Leagues along with the Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups and a Club World Cup, and been named PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

That's not a bad return.

But, now in his thirties, the perceived wisdom is Rooney is finished – at least at the very highest level.

It's why eyebrows were raised last week not when rumours swirled Rooney could leave Old Trafford, but instead when it emerged he was considering a move to China.

While he has ultimately stayed put, it's clear Rooney's time with United is approaching a natural end.

Still, though, the Evertonian would have none of it.

“Signing Rooney would send out the wrong kind of message,” he continued. “We don't want people past their best.”

Nobody expects Rooney to be the same player who demolished opponents for much of his career.

However, he still has plenty to offer.

Not least in terms of the statement his signing would make.

Rooney remains a noted name in world football, and capturing arguably the club's most famous supporter would demonstrate the Blues can compete for big names.

His presence could make a difference, especially among those who may need persuading to buy into Farhad Moshiri's long-term vision at Goodison.

And at 31, it's not like Rooney is washed up completely.

The pace may not be there, but the game intelligence and technical class remain. And, as Gareth Barry has proven, Ronald Koeman knows how to handle players in the latter stages of their careers. And Koeman has hardly played now suggestions he'd be interested in working with the United man.

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Yes, Rooney wouldn't play every game. But in the modern game, very few players do.

As for his position, a creative spear in a midfield three appears ready-made for him, or out wide as part of a three behind the main striker.

Money would be a potential sticking point. There's no way Everton will match wages offered elsewhere, let alone what he's on at United at present.

But after a couple of years back home, Rooney could then do what he wants. China, the MLS, he'd have earned his final pay day.

Signing Rooney would make sense not only for Everton, but for the player too.

Bellew doing the business already

Boxing has always led the way when it comes to promotion.

And Tony Bellew and David Haye have surpassed themselves bigging up their showdown at The O2 next Saturday.

Haye wants a steel fence between the two heavyweights at the weigh-in later this week while Bellew isn't having any of his rival's bluster, stating: “If he loses to me, his rep and his ego have just been eaten, and I'll enjoy it when I put salt and pepper on them after I've finished.”

Let's hope the scrap is merely half as good as the pre-bout taunting.