Barcelona are planning a sensational swap deal involving Thiago Alcantara and David Villa in a bid to bring in Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney to the Camp Nou this summer.
Thiago has been heavily linked with a move to United all summer, with the Spanish international midfielder reportedly agreeing to a switch to Old Trafford.
Rooney was recently linked with a transfer to Barcelona, despite David Moyes insisting the forward is not for sale.
Spanish newspaper Sport have claimed a swap deal could be in the offing with Barcelona giving away Thiago -- rated at €18 million (£15.5 million, $23 million) by the report - David Villa - rated at €8 million (£6.8 million, $10.1 million) -- and a further €4 million (£3.4 million, $5.1 million) for Rooney.
The problem with this deal seems to be the fact that it is unlikely that Moyes will want Villa in his squad having made no attempts at signing the striker.
Barcelona are struggling to offload Villa this summer, with no club willing to match the €15 million (£13 million, $19.2 million) price tag for the 31-year-old Spanish international, who only has a year remaining on his contract.
However, Rooney might be tempted to make a move to Barcelona and form a scary forward trio along with Lionel Messi and Neymar, and with United keen on Thiago, a deal without involving Villa could also be reached.
Meanwhile, former England international Jamie Redknapp believes Rooney should indeed leave United in the summer.
"When Ferguson made it public that he'd put in a transfer request, I thought it made his position untenable," he told Sky Sports News. "I think the fans probably look at him now and think that if he's asked for a transfer then he doesn't want to be at the football club and he wants a change.
"I actually feel it might be the best thing for Wayne. I don't subscribe to the fact that if you leave Manchester United then that's the end of your life. It isn't. There are other clubs out there and he's still a very good player.
"Last year he was, to a certain extent, played in all different positions. It was all about Van Persie, and Rooney was, at times, shunted out to the left or the right.
"I think he's too good a player for that."
While Moyes said he had held positive talks with Rooney and categorically said the player was not for sale, it remains to be seen whether the England international will indeed make an attempt to forge a career outside the Premier League.
