The Nou Camp club have identified the 24-year-old as the star of
the next World Cup and have already put plans in motion to trump
Real Madrid's capture of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Catalan giants believe United's massive debts mean they're
under increasing pressure to consider bids for all their top
players.
United's failure to pump the funds from Ronaldo's £80m sale back
into the squad has provided a reminder the Old Trafford's club's
finances are in a mess. But as in the case of Ronaldo, Rooney
himself will hold the key to any successful bid from the Nou
Camp.
The Scouser has never expressed a desire to move abroad and with
wife Coleen just having given birth to their first child, Barca's
bid will give him a huge dilemma.
United had no choice but to surrender to Ronaldo's desire to go
to the Bernabeu, but Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping Rooney is
less inclined to leave.
The England forward is now seen as the focal point of the United
team and Fergie would fight even harder to keep Rooney than he did
Ronaldo.
Rooney suggested this week he wanted to stay at Old
Trafford for life. However, the prospect of joining up with the
likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta under manager Pep Guardiola
is sure to be tempting.
