Barcelona has started negotiations regarding a transfer deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has not featured for Manchester United since being substituted in their 2-1 Europa League victory against Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
The prospect of Rashford’s long-desired move to Barcelona is becoming more tangible.
The Spanish club has been his preferred choice since he expressed a desire for a new challenge in December after being benched by coach Ruben Amorim.
Reports indicate that discussions have occurred with intermediaries, and there is optimism that an agreement can be reached. The proposed transfer would initially be a loan with an option to buy.
Earlier this summer, Barcelona appeared close to signing Spanish winger Nico Williams, but the 22-year-old opted to extend his contract with Athletic Bilbao for another ten years.
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Last season, Rashford spent the latter half on loan at Aston Villa, making 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
He is one of five Manchester United players, and the highest earner among them, who have been instructed to train separately from Amorim’s squad amid uncertainty regarding their futures.
The 27-year-old feels he will not play for United again while Amorim remains in charge. His transfer to Barcelona would be beneficial for United as they aim to enhance Amorim’s squad.
With over £130 million allocated for the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, additional transfers must be financed through player departures.
Even if Rashford’s move is initially a loan, the savings on the wage bill would be substantial, as only Casemiro earns more than Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has previously expressed his admiration for Rashford, as well as for Liverpool winger Luis Diaz. In May, he mentioned, “When we go to the market, there are names we know that could improve the team.
We like Luis, we like Rashford, and we like other players,” during an interview with Catalan radio station RAC1.
Rashford, for his part, recently expressed his desire to play alongside teenage sensation Lamine Yamal at Barcelona, stating, “Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully We’ll see,” in an interview with Spanish influencer Javi Ruiz.
Rashford’s contract at Old Trafford runs until June 2028, but he has not been assigned a squad number for the new season and was left behind to train at Carrington while the first team traveled to Sweden for their pre-season opener against newly promoted Leeds United on Saturday.
Having risen through the academy at his hometown club, Rashford made his debut in February 2016 at the age of 18 under Louis van Gaal.
He has since scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club but has not worn a United shirt since the match against Viktoria Plzen on December 12, where he was substituted.
Amorim had previously benched Rashford for last season’s league matches.
