Marcus Rashford is reportedly reviving hopes of a dream move to FC Barcelona after enlisting the help of super-agent Pini Zahavi, according to fresh reports from Europe.
Manchester United forward is said to be accelerating efforts to seal a transfer as his future at Old Trafford appears all but over.
The 27-year-old fell out of favour under new manager Ruben Amorim shortly after the Portuguese’s arrival, prompting United to sanction a temporary exit.
Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, with the Midlands club covering 75% of his £325,000 weekly wage. Villa also retain the option to sign him permanently for £40 million this summer.
However, the deal includes a key clause: Rashford has the freedom to reject the move in favour of another club — a clause that may facilitate a long-rumoured switch to Barcelona.
Sky Sport Switzerland journalist Sacha Tavolieri reports that Barcelona have now formally opened talks over personal terms with Rashford, advancing their interest in the England international. The La Liga giants’ pursuit comes after months of speculation linking them with the player.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are said to be eager to finalise Rashford’s departure as they focus on reshaping the squad under Amorim. The Portuguese coach is aiming to implement his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, which will require several new signings this summer.
The club has already committed £62.5 million for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and is eyeing a £30 million deal for Ipswich striker Liam Delap. These moves would take United’s summer spend to over £90 million, heightening the urgency to offload unwanted players like Rashford.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider that United’s transfer activity is likely to be shaped by their Champions League qualification and ongoing player sales.
“Their spending depends on the Champions League, but they look like they’ve got other deals to do as well,” Borson said. “Cunha’s £62m deal is a big one, and then you’ve got Delap for £30m. I think anything larger than that may require player exits.”
Borson added that uncertainties surrounding players like Jadon Sancho and Rashford could determine how flexible United can be financially. “There’s quite a lot of uncertainty. I don’t think a big deal is impossible, but they do look like they’ve got some limits this summer,” he explained. “If they don’t get Champions League, it’ll be a very difficult balancing act.”
Meanwhile, questions are growing over the future of United captain Bruno Fernandes. Although it was previously reported that Fernandes was among four players the club would not sell, new speculation suggests there is a financial threshold at which United would consider offers, and a major Premier League rival may be reading a record-breaking bid.
Elsewhere, United are being encouraged to pursue a Bayern Munich midfielder available for transfer, but concerns are mounting over Lille defender Leny Yoro, who is reportedly pushing for a move to Real Madrid. Sources close to the player suggest Yoro may already regret not securing a deal with the Spanish giants sooner.
