Manchester United have rejected Barcelona’s initial attempt to sign Marcus Rashford on loan during the summer transfer window, according to reports emerging from Spain.
Rashford, 27, spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa after being frozen out of Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans before Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford.
Aston Villa, who finished sixth in the Premier League and narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, have a £40 million option to make Rashford’s move permanent.
However, sources close to the player suggest Rashford is seeking a new challenge at a club competing in the Champions League next season, with Barcelona emerging as his favoured destination.
Earlier this week, Rashford’s brother and representative, Dwaine Maynard, reportedly met with Barcelona sporting director Deco at a hotel in the Catalan capital to discuss the possibility of a summer switch.
According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona are interested in securing Rashford on a season-long loan but is unwilling to meet United’s €40 million (£33.7m) asking price for a permanent transfer.
Manchester United are said to be standing firm, with the club refusing to enter discussions unless the deal involves a full transfer rather than a temporary loan arrangement.
There is some suggestion, however, that United could reconsider their stance later in the transfer window — potentially in its final stages — if no permanent buyers come forward.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are now exploring the option of a paid loan deal that would include the right to buy Rashford at the end of next season.
In a sign of his determination to join the LaLiga champions, Rashford is understood to be willing to take a significant cut from his current £350,000-a-week wages to make the move financially feasible for the Spanish side.
Both Barcelona’s new head coach, Hansi Flick and sporting chief Deco are reported to have approved the signing. Asked last week about Rashford and Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, another of Barcelona’s targets, Flick said: “Both fantastic players. I like them, and we’ll see what happens.”
