Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Real looking at Rooney for next season

Updated at 6:05 am on 17 March 2010

The Spanish football giants Real Madrid are reported to be eyeing the Manchester United star Wayne Rooney as they prepare for next season.

The 24-year-old is the "favourite" of Real chairman Florentino Perez "for the new plan, according to a newspaper report.

The England striker has unleashed an incredible burst of 24 goals in his last 22 matches that have kept United in contention in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Howwever, Spanish media say it is unlikely that Rooney will follow former United star David Beckham to Spain.

Real are unlikely to accept the probable 136 million dollar price tag and United manager Alex Ferguson is unwilling to lose a player who is a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Real last year for a world record fee of 100 million.

Real were eliminated from the Champions League in the last-16 stage last week.

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