London: In an attempt to unsettle the English football giant Manchester United, Spanish Champion Barcelona have tried to woo one of Red Devils' most cherished possession, Wayne Rooney.
The development came into limelight after the English striker showed his desire not to extend his contract with the Old Trafford club and the report was later confirmed by team manager, Alex Ferguson.
"We just don't know what's changed the boy's mind... I was shocked," Ferguson said. "I had a meeting with the boy and he reiterated what his agent had said. He wanted to go."
Barcelona appeared to kick off a campaign to attract his attention on Tuesday by apparently leaking a story to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo claiming that the striker has told former United teammate Gerard Pique - now at the Catalan club - that he ‘would love to play for Barcelona’.
While there may not be any credence to the story, the fact Barcelona are happy to make their interest known - after several links to Rooney in the Spanish media in recent weeks - suggests United are beginning to look vulnerable.
Rooney has become most marketable asset at United since the acquisition of Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo by Real Madrid for $125 million in June 2009. The same summer, Carlos Tevez left the 18-time champions to join cross-town rival Manchester City, one of the few clubs that would be able to afford the wages the 24-year-old Rooney will demand.
But the striker's interest in leaving the Old Trafford has also uncovered desires of Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid, who want the united's striker don their colours.
The three top clubs want to take advantage of the turmoil at Old Trafford and rope in the controversial star.
Chelsea has emerged as a potential bidder after manager Carlo Ancelotti said he would be interested in signing the England striker should he become available.
However, Manchester City is widely reported in the British press to be ready to make an offer for Rooney with a transfer package to the tune of 50 million pounds along with another 50 million in wages over a four-year deal.
But if Rooney is lapped up by the Spanish giants Real Madrid, then Alex Ferguson will be able to plug gaping holes in his team, courtesy midfielder Lassana Diarra and striker Karim Benzema who will come to Old Trafford as part of the deal that will also have a cash purse of 20 million pounds.
Comparing the three offers, Ferguson may well be attracted towards Real's as both Diarra and Benzema had been on his radar previously.
Comments
0 comment