Marcus Rashford BOMBSHELL: January transfer blocked by Barcelona trio

Cameron Smith

9 Feb 2025 10:00 CST
3 min read

Marcus Rashford’s proposed January move to Barcelona was blocked by Pedri, Gavi and Ronald Araujo, according to sensational reports in Spain.

The 27-year-old was a key target for Hansi Flick’s side during the winter transfer window, as exclusively reported by FootballTransfers, but the Blaugrana were unable to finalise an agreement with Manchester United and Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan instead.

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However, Catalunya Radio (via The Sun) have now claimed that Rashford didn’t secure a move to Barcelona as Pedri, Gavi and Araujo all urged the club to end their pursuit of the ex-England international.

Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen would both have needed to be offloaded to fund a move for Rashford, and the aforementioned trio were eager for Barcelona to utilise their current first-team squad rather than sign the Man Utd winger.

The Blaugrana eventually opted against agreeing a deal for Rashford and he secured a loan move to Aston Villa on 2 February.

© IMAGO - Marcus Rashford has left Man Utd on loan

Unai Emery on Marcus Rashford

Rashford could make his Aston Villa debut against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday afternoon and Unai Emery is excited to work with the Englishman over the next few months.

“My challenge with him is a huge challenge. His challenge with us is exciting,” Emery told reporters ahead of Villa’s cup tie against Spurs.

“I don't want to know the reason he is leaving from Manchester but I am very happy keeping him here and I am very happy to try to exploit and help him recover his performances, individually and collectively.

Current ETV

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€70.7M - €86.4M

“The conversation I had with him was a very normal conversation with a player and coach, speaking about football. I only want the best football from him. I think he has huge potential to exploit.”

Rashford has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Man Utd, but he is widely expected to leave Old Trafford on a permanent deal this summer after falling out with Ruben Amorim.