Big-spending Real Madrid, who suffered an embarrassing Champions League exit, are eyeing Manchester United star Wayne Rooney as they prepare for next season, according to reports on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old is the “favourite” of Real chairman Florentino Perez “for the new plan,” the newspaper ABC said.
Perez “has had his eye on Rooney for a long time, even more so in view of the great season he’s having.”
The England striker has unleashed an incredible burst of 24 goals in his last 22 matches that have kept United in contention in both the Premier League and Champions League.
But Spanish media say it is unlikely that Rooney will follow former United star David Beckham to Spain.
Real are unlikely to accept the probable 70-million-euro price tag and United manager Alex Ferguson is unwilling “to lose a player who is a substitute for Cristiano” Ronaldo, the Portuguese winger who was signed by Real last year for a world record fee.
Sports daily Marca reported Real are also keen on Chelsea’s England defender Ashley Cole to boost their back line.
The club splashed out more than 250 million euros on world stars last summer and are currently top of the Primera Liga on goal difference from Barcelona.
But their exit from the Champions League in the last-16 stage to Lyon last week means they are now looking to prepare for next season.
haha…
i’m still laughing at the first article that came out on this…not sure if i’ll get around to laughing at this one yet…
What’s even better is Fergie is fighting fire with fire…I love the articles that come out saying Ronaldo could head back to Manchester since Real were knocked out of the Champions League…hahaahahaha…suck on that Perez..
I can see Ashley Cole leaving, but I don’t think he will…i’ll never say never tho…unless it’s Real trying to lure Rooney…that would be impossible unless Man U force him out..
ROONEY HAS F—ING PLEDGED HIMSELF TO MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB, NOT F—ING GREEDY BASTARDS REAL MADRID CLUB DE FUTBOL!!!
PEREZ, GIVE IT UP, YOU ASS!!! UNITED WILL DEAL WITH YOU NO MORE!!!
a lot of people are talking like its over and rooney is basically already gone. i doubt rooney would leave just because its common knowledge english players don’t play well in other leagues, and how much love rooney is showing to united. i don’t think most english players (aside from beckham) like playing in other leagues anyway.
english soccer sucks anyways. its like watching children play, kick and run!