Transfer news: Wayne Rooney is prepared to pledge his immediate future to Everton, though the Merseyside club expect him to insist that a release clause be inserted into his proposed five-year contract.

The get-out would allow Rooney to move on should a bid of a set value be tabled by a rival club. Everton, who are also hopeful they will this week edge out Portsmouth and Crystal Palace in the race to sign midfielder Michael Carrick from West Ham, are likely to accept the proposal because it would provide them with a safety net of a guaranteed fee for the 18-year-old over the course of the contract.

It remains to be seen whether agreement can be reached between club and agent over the size of the striker's release clause, with Everton likely to seek a fee of around £30m. That figure is based on how much compensation they might be awarded from an independent tribunal should Rooney - who, as he is aged under 24, would not be considered as a free agent - run down his current contract before moving on. Those estimates have suggested that, given the teenager's elevated status in the game, that level of compensation could be insisted on even in today's depressed transfer market.

The forward's agents, the Formation Group, formerly known as Proactive Sports Management, are likely to seek a lower release clause so as not to deter potential buyers.

Rooney has yet to decide whether to sign the new £50,000-a-week, five-year contract offered to him by Everton last month, though the club increasingly expect him to remain on Merseyside for the coming season, given that there have been no inquiries from rival clubs, and intend to press for a formal response on his future this week.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez's reign as Liverpool manager suffered its first potential setback last night after Milan Baros admitted he had set his heart on playing for Barcelona.

The Czech international, who was the leading scorer at Euro 2004, met with his new manager during the club's pre-season tour of the United States last week to discuss his immediate future.

While he remains committed to the Merseysiders for the moment, he stressed to Benitez during those talks that he would be keen to move to Camp Nou should the tentative interest shown by Barcelona in him last month be followed by a firm bid.

"The manager simply asked me about my future and what would happen if Barcelona came in for me," said Baros. "I said I would stay at this club if anyone else came in for me but, if it was Barcelona, it would be nice to move there. When I was a kid it was always my dream to play for them. I wanted to play in England and for Barcelona - now my first dream has been achieved."

Barcelona made a bid for the Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o at the weekend, though that transfer could yet be complicated by the fact that he is owned jointly by Real Mallorca and Real Madrid. That may prompt Barcelona president Joan Laporta to return to Baros as an alternative target, having been impressed by the forward's performances in Portugal.

The 22-year-old scored five times to propel his country to the semi-finals at Euro 2004, though that record contrasts starkly with a tally of 14 goals in 61 appearances since he moved to Anfield from Banik Ostrava in December 2001.

Michael Owen expects to agree a contract extension with Liverpool before the start of the Premiership season next week. "The reality is we have only had four or five meetings and that is normal during contract negotiations," said Owen.

"Another (meeting) is planned for next week. We are in no rush. We are closer than we were, but we are not there yet because the contract has not been signed."