Barcelona has expressed interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, signaling a potential high-profile move during the January transfer window.
Rashford, now seemingly out of favor under United’s new manager Ruben Amorim, hasn’t featured for the team since December 12. This has fueled speculation about his departure from Old Trafford.
At 27, Rashford has hinted at a desire for a fresh start, and interest in him has come from various European giants, including AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. He has reportedly turned down offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, expressing a preference to remain in European football.
The latest twist in this transfer saga links Rashford to Barcelona, with reports suggesting his representatives recently met with the club’s sporting director, Deco, in Lisbon. The meeting occurred ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League match against Benfica.
When questioned about Rashford, Deco remained non-committal, stating the club’s focus is currently on contract renewals with existing players. However, he did acknowledge that the club is open to reinforcements if the opportunity aligns with their plans.
“The most important thing for us is that we are in the contract renewal phase,” Deco explained. “If we can renew the contracts of our players and bring in reinforcements, that would always be welcome. But this is not the time to discuss that. For now, our focus remains on daily operations and decisions.”
Rashford’s reported weekly wage of £350,000 could present a hurdle in securing a loan move to Barcelona. Nevertheless, the Catalan giants are believed to be keen on adding the talented forward to their squad.
Negotiations are expected to progress in the coming weeks, with any final decision likely to materialize in the later stages of the transfer window.
As Rashford’s future hangs in the balance, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Englishman trades Manchester for Barcelona or seeks opportunities elsewhere in Europe. Fans and pundits alike eagerly await the outcome of this developing story.