Arsenal's deal for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain won't end their interest in Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney.

The Daily Mail says Higuain's capture will take a healthy chunk out of manager Arsene Wenger's £70million summer warchest - but Alisher Usmanov, the club's second biggest shareholder, now wants the Gunners to land Rooney.

Wenger has a concrete interest in the unsettled Manchester United striker, despite the fact his £250,000-per-week wages would provide a major stumbling block towards a shock move.

The pending signing of Higuain makes a move for Rooney less likely, but Usmanov said: "He is a great player and [joining Arsenal] would be great for Rooney, and Arsenal too."