“Why not? He’s one of the best players in the world”

File this one under bull, but Roberto Carlos has said Anzhi Makhachkala are considering a move for Wayne Rooney.

The legendary left back is now the team director at the Russian side and has stated that their billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov would be more than happy to open his coin purse if it meant securing the signature of the striker.

Having signed former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o on a bumper deal that sees him make £20m a year, Kerimov has the funds to back a transfer but it is highly unlikely United would be open to the idea of parting with their prized cow.

Yet Carlos can still dream, speaking to Sky Sports News the Brazilian said:

“Why not? He’s one of the best players in the world and any team would be happy to have him in their squad.

“He’s still a very young player. Of course I could not say when, and if, it will happen.

“It’s not only Anzhi who want to buy him. There are plenty of teams in Italy and Spain, all over the world, who are eager to have a player like Rooney.

“This person (Kerimov) is capable of doing everything. If the owner of Anzhi has a wish to buy somebody, he will go and do it. But we are trying to change the image of the club. It’s not just about money.

“Of course we are going to buy good players but not only international players – we want to sign good Russian players that are not that expensive.”