Gerard Pique urges Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to join Barcelona

Gerard Pique has urged his former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney to join Barcelona as the speculation over the England international's future rumbles on.

Rooney is due to hold talks with new United manager David Moyes in the coming days regarding where the striker fits into his plans.

The 27-year-old has been linked to Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in recent months, but Pique suggested he should consider a move to Spain.

"He has what's needed to be one of the three best players in the world. He'd fit in well at Barcelona," Pique told Sport.

"He is very versatile, strong, fast, has great technique. I don't think he would have any problems adapting."

Rooney's future has been uncertain since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that the player submitted a second transfer request to the club in three years – a decision which brought jeers from the Old Trafford crowd after his side's final home game of last season.

Reports suggest that he must submit a written request to leave before a transfer away will be considered.