Rooney Could Quit for £5m Under Webster Ruling

Wayne Rooney could terminate his contract at Manchester United for around £5 million next summer if he chooses to buy out the final year under the 'Webster Ruling'.

Article 17 of FIFA's transfer rules dictate that a player who signed a contract before the age of 28 can buy himself out three years after the deal was signed, if he pays his final year's salary and a small compensation fee.

Rooney last put pen to paper in November 2006, when he agreed a contract extension to keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2012, and The Independent has revealed that the striker's ability to use the ruling has been confirmed by the Spain-based law firm Ruiz Huerta y Crespo, who have been involved in every major Article 17 case to date.

Former Scotland international Andy Webster set the precedent when he moved from Hearts to Wigan in 2006, and FIFA's decision has now seen the rule used by Tony Sylva and Jonas Gutierrez since.

The ruling only needs 15 days' notice in writing to come into force and could force Manchester United to sell Rooney in the January transfer window, where they would be able to get something close to his full valuation.

Source: Soccernet