• Premier League

Barca hope Villa can unlock Rooney deal

ESPN staff
July 8, 2013

David Villa could be offered to Manchester United, along with Thiago Alcantara, in a bid to take Wayne Rooney to the Camp Nou, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Despite manager David Moyes stating on Friday that the striker "is not for sale", Barcelona are hopeful that involving Spain's leading scorer in the deal could make United rethink their stance and enhance the Catalan club's chances of landing Rooney.

Sport claims that the transfer would cost Barcelona €4 million, plus Thiago and Villa - whose combined value is believed to be around €26 million.

But Villa is understood to have a number of admirers and Tottenham Hotspur have already lodged an official offer, although it was swiftly refused.

Another Spanish daily, El Mundo Deportivo, describes Spurs' bid as "ridiculous" and claims that Barca will not consider anything less than €10 million for the striker, who has netted 56 goals for Spain.

Atletico Madrid, after apparently losing out on Alvaro Negredo to Manchester City, have also made their interest in 31-year-old known and are believed to be weighing up an offer.

Villa is aware that playing time at the Camp Nou will be even more limited this season following the arrival of Neymar.

With the World Cup just a year away, 'el Guaje' will be keen to join a team who will guarantee him minutes and allow him to impress Vicente del Bosque ahead of Brazil 2014.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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