Where next for Rooney? Six possible suitors

SOCCER:Where might Rooney go?

Barcelona

Would they want him? There is a recognition that Barcelona’s squad is short – particularly up front, where Rooney would offer them something different. But there are question marks over whether he fits the Barca model and there is a reluctance to curtail the progression of Bojan Krikic. The new president, Sandro Rosell, is closely connected to Nike, which might help.

Would they have the money? In theory, no. In practice, Rooney will be cheap as he goes into the final 18 months of his contract.

Barca have just approved a new budget for next year which has been characterised as one of “austerity” by the president with the club heavily indebted. Rooney might yet be the cheapest star available for Barcelona.

Could they attract him? Who wouldn’t want to play for Barcelona? Rooney was effusive in his praise for the team and especially Andres Iniesta in the wake of the European Cup final two seasons ago.

Could they make a move in January? That would depend on injuries. Barcelona recognise their squad is short and that they have a short-term problem to deal with – Rooney’s availability then would certainly be welcome to them, even if he could only play in La Liga.

– Sid Lowe

Chelsea

Would they want him? Definitely. Didier Drogba is 32 and Nicolas Anelka 31, with Salomon Kalou a decent back-up and Daniel Sturridge yet to convince. The possibility of signing a player of Rooney’s calibre would be too good to turn down.

Would they have the money? It would buck the recent trend, aimed vaguely at self-sufficiency, though Roman Abramovich has long made it be known that, should the right player become available, he would be willing to fund a lavish signing.

Rooney would fit the bill. Whether Manchester City, in particular, would merely trump any offer Chelsea could muster remains to be seen, as does whether Chelsea would be willing to match his wage demands.

Could they attract him? The chance to work with the Premier League champions - a side that will challenge for domestic and European honours for the foreseeable future - and under another European Cup-winning manager in Carlo Ancelotti, about whom no one seems to have a bad word, would surely be attractive.

Could they make a move in January? They could try - though Ancelotti suggested yesterday that he would still consider it a surprise should Rooney effectively be made available by United.

– Dominic Fifield

Internazionale

Would they want him?

Rafael Benitez is adamant his Inter team need upgrading in January, though he is most anxious to add forwards who are comfortable playing wide. With Diego Milito struggling for form early this season, though, there is no doubt he would find a way to incorporate Rooney.

Would they have the money? The president, Massimo Moratti, is rich enough but, after ploughing a reported €730 million of his money into the club in his 14 years in charge, is keen to get the club breaking even ahead of the introduction of Uefa’s financial fair play rules. He might consider sanctioning a move if accompanied by the sale of another well-paid player, such as Maicon.

Could they attract him? Inter are the reigning European champions and capable of matching his ambition, but Milan is a very different city to Manchester. His relationship with Benitez, manager for so long of a Liverpool team he proclaimed to “hate”, would be interesting to watch.

Could they make a move in January? In theory, though Moratti does not seem anxious to throw his money around. Asked if his team were too dependent on Samuel Eto’o, Moratti replied: “When we were dependent on [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic we won two titles. So I’m not unhappy at all.”

– Paolo Bandini

Manchester City

Would they want him? Even discounting the pleasure they would take from luring such a talismanic player away from Old Trafford, there is a genuine need at City for another category-A striker to take the pressure off Carlos Tevez. Emmanuel Adebayor is not the player he was and, after missing out on Fernando Torres and Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko in the summer, a new forward was always going to be the January priority.

Would they have the money? Pah. It would smash the record €37 million spent on Robinho, and it would probably mean Rooney become the best-paid footballer on the planet. For City, no problem.

Could they attract him? Rooney, it seems, has been sold the idea, not least as it would also suit his wife, Colleen, to stay in the north-west. Rooney has grown to dislike living under such an intense spotlight, but the pros still outweigh the cons.

Could they make a move in January? Largely depends on whether United make him available but City would happily sign him as quickly as possible. United would hate the idea of selling such a key player to one of their rivals – but the Glazers are businessmen and can we seriously expect the Americans to block it on the grounds of the clubs’ rivalry?

– Daniel Taylor

AC Milan

Would they want him? Milan hardly need another forward after adding Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho to a team that already boasted Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato in the summer.

The owner, Silvio Berlusconi, however, has rarely been one to let such considerations stand in the way of a high-profile signing.

Would they have the money? Extremely unlikely. Similar scepticism was expressed before the signings of Ibrahimovic and Robinho, but Rooney would likely cost more than both put together and Milan would not be allowed to delay the payments as they have in former transfers. The club has enormous debts.

Could they attract him? The opportunity to play alongside Ronaldinho, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf and Ibrahimovic might appeal but Rooney will also be wary that this Milan team have not won a significant piece of silverware in three years.

Although they have started the season reasonably, the competition for places up front is fierce.

Could they make a move in January? It is hard to see how, unless Berlusconi can find some untapped funding source. With the Italian prime minister, though, you can never say never.

– Paolo Bandini

Real Madrid

Would they want him? Yes. Florentino Perez, the president, is a long-term admirer of Rooney. Jose Mourinho has made little secret of the fact he wants another striker, but Rooney does not exactly fit the Didier Drogba profile he is seeking.

Madrid also appear to be ready to give up on Karim Benzema, which could help to facilitate a move and open up a slot in the squad.

Would they have the money? They insist they are solvent now but they have been reluctant to spend this summer. That said, if the player is right . . .

When has not having the money ever stopped Real Madrid? They borrowed over €152 million to embark on the biggest spending spree upon Perez’s return, which included spending €90 million on Rooney’s old club-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Could they attract him? He would have the chance to work under a coach who looks after his players. And one that speaks perfect English.

Could they make a move in January? Mourinho and Jorge Valdano, the club’s director general, have both insisted that Real Madrid will not be going into the market in the winter and they would rather sign a player who can appear in the Champions League.

– Sid Lowe