Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona to Manchester United

Barcelona are considering sending
Thiago Alcantara, David Villa and a
small sum of cash to Old Trafford
to help lure Wayne Rooney to
Spain.
The Catalan giants are keen to
strengthen their forward line
despite already adding Neymar to
the ranks this month.
Rooney, who watched from the
Royal Box on Sunday as Andy
Murray won the Wimbledon men's
title, faces an uncertain future at
Manchester United having
submitted a transfer request at the
end of last season.
Unsettled: But Catalan giants
Barcelona want Wayne Rooney
to add to their firepower up
front
Target: A deal for Rooney could
see United sign Thiago
Alcantara, who has been linked
to Old Trafford
Arsenal and Chelsea remain
confident they can lure the England
man to London, though find United
extremely reluctant to sell.
Rooney and David Moyes have
spoken about his future: the pair
met at Rooney’s home even before
the players came back for training
last week, with the Scot defiant in
his press conference last week.
The new United boss is keen to
make a bold statement in the
transfer window having taken over
from Sir Alex Ferguson officially
earlier this month.
New striker: United are also
keen to include David Villa in the
deal - who is also a target for
Tottenham
New manager: David Moyes is
aiming to stamp his mark on
United after taking over from Sir
Alex Ferguson
And that has led the Spanish
newspaper Sport to claim Rooney
may be used as a bargaining tool to
lure La Liga's finest.
A report in the paper says Thiago's
departure for around £17million is
almost certain, though sticking
points continue to hold up
developments, while Villa, too, who
is rated at around £8.5m by his
club, will quit the Nou Camp with a
year remaining his deal.
The sums then, with £4m in cash
added on top, values Rooney at
over £30m, significantly higher
than any bid so far received.
Suited and booted: Rooney was
in the Royal Box to watch Andy
Murray win Wimbledon title on
Sunday
Defender, and former United man
Gerard Pique was full of praise for
his one-time team-mate last week
when he insisted that 26-year-old
would become one of the world's
best if he switched countries.
He said: 'I know he has what’s
needed to be one of the three best

players in the world. He’d fit well

with Barcelona,' Pique told Sport.
'He can adapt to many positions.
He’s best as the centre forward,
but we have seen him on the left

or right side.