Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney recalled the summer of 2010: “When I told Manchester United in 2010 that I did not want to sign a new deal and put in a transfer request, three clubs came in for me
Wayne Rooney has opened up about his near move to Barcelona in 2010, revealing that he was seriously tempted by the prospect of playing alongside some of the best players in the world, including Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta. The former England captain explained that he handed in a transfer request at Manchester United that year, sparking interest from several top clubs, with Barcelona being one of the most appealing options.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney recalled the summer of 2010: “When I told Manchester United in 2010 that I did not want to sign a new deal and put in a transfer request, three clubs came in for me.” The clubs that made approaches were Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, with Manchester City, often linked with the striker at the time, never really being an option for him.
Although a move to Real Madrid appeared more likely for a brief period, it was Barcelona that truly captured his imagination. “In my head, I was ready to go and play in Spain, and some talks did take place,” Rooney admitted. “A deal with Real looked more likely for a couple of days, but it was Barcelona whom I thought about the most, and how I might fit into their side alongside Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Sergio Busquets.”
Rooney’s admiration for Barcelona’s squad during that era was clear, acknowledging the club had one of the most formidable teams in world football. However, despite the temptation, Rooney ultimately chose to remain at Manchester United. “In the end, I decided to stay at United, but Barca had an incredible team then and any player would have loved to have played in it.”
Reflecting on the situation years later, Rooney expressed understanding of why some players, like Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, might consider a move to another top European club. The five-time Premier League winner noted how the current generation of superstars at Real Madrid, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr, would be incredibly appealing to any player.
“Real are the same now with superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr, so of course, it must be appealing to Alexander-Arnold to think about playing alongside them—anyone would feel the same,” Rooney said. “He has been at Liverpool for almost 20 years—since he was six—but the reality is that most players move at some point. That’s why there are so few one-club men like Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.”
Rooney acknowledged that the nature of modern football means players often seek new challenges, and he wouldn’t blame Alexander-Arnold for considering a fresh opportunity. “I would not blame Alexander-Arnold for wanting to do something a little bit different—like a fresh challenge in a new country. Spain would be a really good move for him.”
Despite his own ties to Manchester United, Rooney’s comments reflect a deep understanding of the desire for change that many top players experience throughout their careers.
