Neymar: Rooney should join Barcelona

Barcelona new-boy Neymar has urged want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney to move to Camp Nou.

The England forward is widely expected to depart Old Trafford having handed in a transfer request at the conclusion of the 2012-13 campaign.

And Neymar, who joined Barca from Santos for €57 million in May, believes the 27-year-old would fit in perfectly with the reigning Liga champions.

“The style of football we (Barcelona) play and the level of the players we have – we are the perfect club for the top players to join,” he said.

“I have met Wayne on a few occasions and he seems a good guy but importantly, he is one of the players I admire most in the world. Wayne is one of the most gifted and technical players in the world.

“Of course he would improve Barcelona. He would improve any club in Europe. And on a personal level, it would be a dream to play with him.”

Rooney scored 16 goals in 36 appearances last term, but found himself controversially benched in high-profile fixtures such as the second leg of his side’s UEFA Champions League last-16 defeat to Real Madrid.

Rumours of a falling out with then-manager Alex Ferguson subsequently surfaced, and the striker is reported to have a similarly tense relationship with the 71-year-old’s successor David Moyes.