Wayne Rooney: Where next? - the contenders

22 October 2010 10:57
Real Madrid Searching for strikers: Jose Mourinho[LNB]How much would they pay for him?[LNB] Madrid have a track record of wanting United's players and Rooney is no different. They had earmarked £30million for a centre forward in January but ideally were looking for a target man. Paying United £50m for Rooney would not be a problem but they would have to find clever ways of making up his £250,000-a-week wages or risk upsetting other stars.[LNB]The pulling power:[LNB] If you are going to leave Manchester United the only sideways steps are Real Madrid and Barcelona. Rooney joining the new galacticos could have the same effect as Zinedine Zidane's move from Juventus. However, if ever a player looked uncomfortable abroad it is Rooney, and the family ties may be difficult to cut.[LNB]Can they deliver trophies?[LNB] Without question. Not only do they have some of the world's best players, they now have the best coach. Jose Mourinho wins silverware wherever he goes and his unbeaten start to the season is making Barcelona nervous.[LNB] Who would lose out?[LNB] Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain. Madrid are not blessed with many top-quality strikers and both have struggled to fill the boots vacated by Raul. Mourinho has made no secret of the fact a striker is top of his wish-list.[LNB] Wanted: Real are excelling under Mourinho, but are looking for a striker[LNB] Would United be prepared to sell?[LNB] Rooney's agent Paul Stretford has a good relationship with Real Madrid and, if the sale is inevitable, this is where United would prefer Rooney to go. Madrid can match their valuation and the player's ambition, the question is whether Rooney can move abroad.[LNB]Manchester City Interested Italian? Roberto Mancini[LNB]How much would they pay for him?[LNB] Signing the striker would indicate a huge shift in power towards City. They have been reluctant to pay over the going rate for star names but signing Rooney would represent much more than bringing in a 24-year-old world-class player. If they believe they have a genuine chance of prising him from Old Trafford they will bid up to £50m and pay wages of £250,000 a week.[LNB] The pulling power:[LNB] City are the richest club and can bankroll the ambitious signings he craves. Rooney is at home in the North West and has rarely given any indication he could settle elsewhere. Perhaps, more importantly, his wife, Coleen, also wants to stay in the area to remain near her close-knit group of family and friends.[LNB]Can they deliver trophies?[LNB] Although they have yet to prove it, there is a growing belief that City will finally break the monopoly of the Big Four this season. That first trophy could open the floodgates to a new era in English football but it still may take time to shake Europe.[LNB] Who would lose out?[LNB] Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are already weighing up their January options. Jo will also be concerned while Mario Balotelli and fans' favourite Carlos Tevez will be wondering who gets top billing at the head of Mancini's strikeforce.[LNB] Competition: City talisman Tevez would rival Rooney for a place in the team[LNB] Would United be prepared to sell?[LNB] Surely not. But money talks and, if Rooney opts for City, United may have to make a hard decision to drive up the price and get as much as possible - justifying it by using the cash to buy new talent.[LNB]Chelsea Carlo calling: Ancelotti's a Rooney fan[LNB]How much would they pay for him?[LNB] Roman Abramovich has always wanted his Chelsea side to play with style and attacking flair. Rooney would be a brilliant addition, but United would not want to hand their fiercest rivals their star player without a fight. Abramovich has set a limit on spending and may struggle to reason with a £50m price. A bid of £38m would be more likely though the £250,000-a-week wages could create more internal problems.[LNB] The pulling power:[LNB] Carlo Ancelotti is a known fan and, more importantly, Rooney has friends at the club in John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. They would help him bridge the gap while it's only two hours on the train for home-loving Coleen. No lack of ambition and Chelsea are making moves to bring in the world's best youngsters.[LNB]Can they deliver trophies?[LNB] Rooney would be walking into a side with pedigree and an evident hunger. They are already feared across Europe and even though the Champions League is the one that eludes them, Rooney's arrival would make that a near certainty.[LNB] Who would lose out?[LNB] Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka are the obvious candidates to be pushed aside with the world keen to see a link up between Didier Drogba and Rooney. Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge will also question their future roles.[LNB] Fall guy: Anelka could miss out if Rooney moves to Stamford Bridge[LNB] Would United be prepared to sell?[LNB] The gamble to consider is whether United can sell Rooney to City and risk Roberto Mancini still not getting it right. Giving Rooney to Chelsea would simply cement the Premier League champions' place at the top of the pile. [LNB] Wayne Rooney told by Carlos Tevez: Join me at Manchester City... but striker faces death threats at his houseSo, is Rooney right? Under the Glazers his club has been saddled with huge debt and is in danger of becoming the real... DAMNED UNITEDIs this the end for Brand Rooney? Wantaway United star faces losing millions on sponsorship deals[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Simon Jones, Paul Stretford, Frank Lampard, Jose Mourinho, Roque Santa Cruz, Karim Benzema, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Roman Abramovich, Emmanuel Adebayor, Zinedine Zidane, Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Barcelona, Madrid, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail