BARCELONA: The Spanish champions would have been interested in Rooney, but despite their world standing, Barca would not have been able to afford the financial package and were not prepared to break their budget, even for Rooney.

REAL MADRID: Jose Mourinho was interested in Rooney having been impressed with him during his time in the Premier League, but was also aware that the striker's form has dipped and his problems in his private life have caught up with him. Real already possess a number of forward players that Mourinho is happy with and the coach did not think he had space in his team for Rooney. No wonder Mourinho expressed his belief that Rooney would stay at Old Trafford.

CHELSEA: Roman Abramovich gave the go-ahead to pursue Rooney, but the striker would have been shocked to be told, via middlemen, that despite the Russian's wealth Chelsea are sticking to a policy of restricting the wage bill in order to comply with UEFA's financial fair play rules. Chelsea would not offer more than the £150,000 per week on offer from United.

MANCHESTER CITY: The ambitious club made it clear they would push the boat out and pay Rooney whatever he wanted, but it was not an option that appealed to the player. Given the animosity already displayed by some supporters, Rooney felt a move to City would place too much of a burden on his wife and family.