London, Nov.8 (ANI): Spanish football club Barcelona is keen to rope in England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, and is willing to fork out a record 85 million pounds for him.

Nou Camp has identified the 24-year-old as the star of the next World Cup.

According to The News of The World, the Catalan giants believe Manchester United’s massive debts mean they’re under increasing pressure to consider bids for all their top players.United’s failure to pump the funds from Ronaldo’s 80 million pound sale back into the squad has provided a reminder the Old Trafford’s club’s finances are in a mess.

However, Rooney himself will hold the key to any successful bid from the Nou Camp.

The Scouser has never expressed a desire to move abroad and with wife Coleen just having given birth to their first child, Barca’s bid places him in a huge dilemma.

Man U coach Sir Alex Ferguson will hope that Rooney is less inclined than Ronaldo to leave.The England forward is now seen as the focal point of the United team and Fergie would fight even harder to keep Rooney than he did Ronaldo.

Rooney suggested this week he wanted to stay at Old Trafford for life.

However, the prospect of joining up with the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta under manager Pep Guardiola is sure to be tempting. (ANI)