Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is looking increasingly unlikely to join Aston Villa on a permanent basis and the England international’s future is back in the spotlight
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford could get his dream transfer move after Barcelona manager Hansi Flick labelled him a ‘fantastic player’. Rashford, 27, is up for sale this summer, having been loaned out to Aston Villa in January.
Villa have the option to sign the England international on a permanent basis for around £40million but there’s been no indication that talks are underway. Rashford is therefore expected to return to United for pre-season unless they can find a buyer.
That could be Barcelona, who are keen to sign an attacker in the summer transfer window. Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has been heavily linked but Rashford is an alternative amid their precarious financial position.
Barca emerged as Rashford’s dream destination when he was in the process of leaving United in January and the newly-crowned LaLiga champions explored signing him on loan. Flick is clearly a fan of the United forward, as is Barcelona sporting director Deco, who praised both Diaz and Rashford in midweek.
“We like Luis, we like Rashford, and we like other players,” Deco told Catalan radio station RAC 1. “Out of respect, talking about players who are under contract with other clubs is complicated. When we go to the market, there are names we know that could improve the team.”
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Flick echoed Deco’s comments ahead of Barca’s final game of the season away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. “I don’t want to talk about players who aren’t part of my team, but they’re both fantastic players and I like them,” the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Flick was also asked about Barcelona’s potential pursuit of a winger, to which he replied: “We’ve talked about it. In recent matches we didn’t have many options in that area. It’s something we need to improve.”
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Reports from Spain suggest that the German is planning to reshape his attack next term, despite his title-winning side scoring 99 goals in La Liga so far this season. Ideally, left winger Raphinha would be brought inside to play in the No.10 role behind striker Robert Lewandowski while top target Diaz and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal would operate on the flanks.
Ferran Torres was Flick’s go-to guy from the bench this campaign and produced an impressive 19 goals and seven assists before surgery to treat appendicitis curtailed his season earlier this month. The ex-Manchester City star will no-doubt have interest from other clubs while another forward, Ansu Fati, has been tipped to sign for Monaco.
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