Marcus Rashford's future at Manchester United has been thrown into further doubt after recent comments hinting at a potential transfer to Barcelona. The 27-year-old forward, who spent the latter half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has openly expressed his admiration for Barcelona's young star, Lamine Yamal, fueling speculation about a possible move to the Catalan club.
In an interview with Spanish influencer Javi Ruiz, Rashford was directly asked about the possibility of playing alongside Yamal. His response, "Yes, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully... we'll see," has been interpreted by many as a clear indication of his desire to join Barcelona. He further praised Yamal, stating, "[It is] difficult to put into words what he is doing. He is not supposed to be doing that at 16-17 [years of age]. I don't think we've seen that before."
Barcelona's interest in Rashford has been well-documented. Sporting director Deco has publicly acknowledged the club's admiration for the player, along with Liverpool winger Luis Diaz. However, Barcelona's financial constraints are a significant hurdle. While United are reportedly seeking around £40 million for Rashford, Barcelona may be unwilling to meet that valuation, especially as they are also pursuing other targets like Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. Some reports suggest Barcelona would prefer a loan deal, with Rashford reportedly willing to lower his wages to facilitate a move.
Manchester United appear to be open to selling Rashford, especially after his loan spell at Aston Villa. While Villa had an option to buy, their failure to qualify for the Champions League makes a permanent move less likely. New United head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly looking to reshape the squad, and Rashford's future seems to lie away from Old Trafford. Despite being under contract for another three years, United are seemingly prepared to listen to offers.
Rashford's potential move to Barcelona isn't without its complications. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is said to have requested the signing of a different winger. The club's financial issues mean they may need to prioritize other targets, particularly if Liverpool refuse to lower their asking price for Luis Diaz.
Adding another layer to the situation, Rashford is said to be willing to play as a No. 9, a central striker, which could be valuable for Manchester United, who are currently looking to strengthen their attack. It remains to be seen whether this will affect any potential transfer deal.
Despite the uncertainty, Rashford is reportedly preparing to return to Manchester United for pre-season training if his future remains unresolved in the coming weeks. However, his comments about Lamine Yamal and Barcelona have undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, suggesting that the English forward has his sights set on a move to the La Liga giants. Whether Barcelona can overcome their financial obstacles and make a suitable offer remains to be seen, but Rashford's desire to join the club is evident.
