Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has become one of the major names in the Premier League transfer market ahead of the January transfer window.
The winger has seen limited playing time under new manager Ruben Amorim, who seems to have frozen out the Englishman, leading to him publicly stating that he is ready to leave the club.
Barcelona, for one, have been mentioned as potential suitors for the Manchester United star given their pursuit of a new left winger for next season.
Rashford prefers Barcelona transfer
Now, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano (h/t SPORT), the Englishman’s priority, if he left England, would be to play in La Liga, with his preferred destination being Barcelona due to his belief that his football could be better developed there.
Rashford and Manchester United appear set to part ways somewhat unexpectedly, despite the relationship having been deteriorating for months.
The Red Devils have made the decision to open the door for their academy graduate’s departure in order to save on his wages, which are the highest in the squad.
Rashford on his way out of Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manager Amorim has refrained from commenting in detail on the matter, but ahead of the Boxing Day match, he hinted that the player’s entourage had been advising Rashford poorly.
Manchester United are willing to sell the player for less than €40 million, but his salary exceeds €17 million net, a figure that no club in Spain is able to take on.
There have been links to Saudi Arabia and PSG, two destinations that could afford the cost of the operation.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are aware of the situation but have not made any move yet. They recognise Rashford’s enormous talent and believe his playing style would suit the team’s needs.
However, the Catalans consider his signing only feasible if he is willing to halve his salary, something they view as impossible.
The reality is that Rashford will need to decide whether to keep his current wages or reduce them in order to fit into the sporting project at Barcelona.