Marcus Rashford has recently fueled speculation about a potential move to Barcelona, expressing his admiration for the club's young star, Lamine Yamal, and hinting at a desire to play alongside him. This comes amidst reports that Manchester United are willing to sell Rashford, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, after he fell out of favor with manager Ruben Amorim.

In a recent interview with Spanish influencer Javi Ruiz on the xBuyer YouTube channel, Rashford was directly asked about the possibility of playing with Yamal. His response was enthusiastic: "Yeah, for sure. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully… we'll see." He also lavished praise on the 17-year-old Yamal, acknowledging his exceptional talent and maturity. "It's difficult to put into words what he is doing," Rashford said. "He is not supposed to be doing that at 16, 17. I've not seen that before."

Barcelona have held a long-standing interest in Rashford, with sporting director Deco and manager Hansi Flick both publicly acknowledging their admiration for the player. Barcelona view Rashford as a versatile player who can play both as a winger and a central striker, making him an attractive option to bolster their attack. Deco has confirmed that Rashford is one of several players the club is considering to strengthen their squad.

However, Barcelona's well-documented financial difficulties could prove to be a significant obstacle. While United are reportedly seeking around £40 million for Rashford, Barcelona are also prioritizing a move for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. Barcelona are prepared to play a waiting game. The club's financial constraints may make it difficult to pursue both players, especially with Williams also attracting considerable interest from other top European clubs.

Rashford's high wages, reportedly over £300,000 per week, could also be a stumbling block. While some reports suggest that Rashford is willing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move to Barcelona, it remains to be seen whether he would be willing to lower his demands enough to fit within the club's wage structure.

Despite the challenges, Rashford's apparent eagerness to join Barcelona and play alongside Yamal could give the Catalan club an edge in negotiations. His versatility, experience, and proven goal-scoring record would undoubtedly be a valuable asset to Barcelona as they look to challenge for major honors in the upcoming season.

It's worth noting that Rashford is under contract with Manchester United until 2028, and the club could still decide to keep him if they don't receive a suitable offer. However, with United seemingly open to a sale and Rashford expressing his desire to move to Barcelona, the possibility of him lining up alongside Lamine Yamal at Camp Nou next season remains a distinct possibility. Until a decision is made, Rashford is planning to return to pre-season training with Manchester United in July.