However, since leaving Old Trafford the 30-year-old has re-established himself as one of the most lethal forwards in la Liga, netting 54 league goals in 104 outings for Villarreal and a further 48 in 69 for present club Atletico Madrid.
His 32 league goals for the rojiblancos in 2008/09 earned him both the Pichichi trophy as top-scorer in la Liga, as well as the Golden Shoe for being the deadliest marksman in Europe - trophies he also picked up as a Villarreal player.
And as a result, Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with a move for the talisman.
However, Forlan's representative, Daniel Bolotnicoff, has denied that the striker is set for a switch to the Camp Nou during the close-season, despite admitting he was recently in Catalunya.
"I was there for personal reasons, but if you all think that I came to speak to Barcelona then you know more than me," he told Sport.
"They are trying to find a way to sign [Villa].
NEWS: Forlan agent dismisses transfer talk
NEWS: Forlan crazy for Barcelona move
NEWS: Forlan scoops second Golden Shoe gong
NEWS: Forlan hints at Premier League return
NEWS: Atletico dismiss Forlan City switch rumours
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
