Exclusive: Barcelona approach Man Utd over Marcus Rashford loan

Steve Kay

Updated: 20 Dec 2024 16:02 GMT
3 min read

FootballTransfers understands that Barcelona have made contact with Manchester United over a January loan move for Marcus Rashford.

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The Man Utd winger raised eyebrows this week when he openly admitted that he was looking for a 'new challenge' away from Old Trafford.

“For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps,” he told Henry Winter. “When I leave it's going to be ‘no hard feelings.’ You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United."

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

His comments came just a day after Rashford was dropped by Ruben Amorim for the Manchester Derby due to his training performances, which already served as a major hint that the two parties could go their separate ways in 2025.

The news of Rashford's desire to leave has piqued the interest of Barcelona, we are told. Rashford is a player the Blaugrana have admired for some time, and president Joan Laporta is keen to pounce on any available 'market opportunity.'

Barcelona move for Rashford

We understand that Barcelona have made contact with Man Utd regarding a potential half-season loan that would include the option to buy the 27-year-old in the summer.

The fee put forward by the Spanish giants was £35 million (€42m). Man Utd did not immediately respond to the approach but Rashford has been made aware of the interest and is keen on the move.

Despite a sentimental attachment between Rashford and the club, Man Utd are determined to offload the winger in a bid to balance the books and revamp the team in collaboration with Amorim.

After years of operating at a loss, Man Utd have to keep an eye on Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and the potential departure of Rashford - one of the club's biggest earners - would go a long way towards easing these concerns, especially as any fee generated would count as 'pure profit.'

Man Utd are willing to make concessions in the form of a cut-price deal to facilitate a transfer but there is an awareness that his wages could prove a major stumbling block.

Especially for a club like Barcelona, who currently look unlikely to be able to register summer signing Dani Olmo before their December 31 deadline, Rashford's arrival could cause more problems than it would solve.

Nevertheless, the player is understood to be eager to head to Spain and Barcelona are attracted by the idea of bringing Rashford to Catalunya.