Barcelona are unwilling to meet Manchester United’s £40m asking price for Marcus Rashford, according to a report.
The 2024-25 La Liga champions have made their interest in Rashford no secret, with the club’s sporting director Deco revealing he ‘likes’ the England international earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Mail Sport understands Rashford, 27, is expected to leave United this summer after falling out with Ruben Amorim and has been keen on joining Barca for some time.
Rashford enjoyed a solid run of performances for Aston Villa after joining them on loan for the second half of the season from United during the January transfer window.
While he impressed at points with four goals and six assists in 17 appearances for Unai Emery’s side, his promising shows were curtailed by a hamstring injury.
In spite of his rejuvenated form for Villa, Barcelona’s interest in the England international does not extend past a loan deal, according to German outlet Bild.
Barcelona are reportedly unwilling to pay Man United’s £40m asking price for Marcus Rashford
The Catalan giants are a fan of Rashford but would prefer to secure a loan deal for his talents
It is believed that Barcelona would rather allocate funds to Liverpool’s Luis Diaz if they were to sign a winger permanently
It is believed that United would prefer to rid themselves of Rashford entirely and are not interested in another loan move unless their hand is forced.
The only possible alternative to a full sale could be a loan deal with an option to buy.
The report went on to state that the Red Devils may look for between between £5m and £10m for the loan, Barcelona to cover Rashford’s salary, and a non-binding option to buy at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
Rashford currently rakes in around £315,000 per week, meaning it would be no easy task for Barca to fork out the funds to cover this, especially in light of their dire financial situation.
If the Catalan giants cannot arrive at a mutually suitable deal for Rashford, they would reportedly rather invest in Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
The winger’s future at Anfield is uncertain as he enters the last two years of his current deal.
And in the event a move for Diaz fails, it is believed that Barcelona have two more aces up their sleeve – Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Rashford’s brother Dwaine Maynard held talks with Barcelona chiefs in Spain earlier this week over a potential move.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco admitted the club’s interest in Rashford two weeks ago
Rashford’s brother and agent Dwaine Maynard (far right) met with Barcelona chiefs this week
Rashford has sought a move away from United since falling out with Ruben Amorim last year
Maynard – Rashford’s agent – is understood to have met the club’s sporting director Deco at a hotel in the Catalan capital on Wednesday.
Addressing the possibility that Barcelona might move for the star, Deco said: ‘We like Luis Diaz, we like Rashford… and we like other wingers too.
‘We can’t talk about players under contract with other clubs’.
Barcelona have had an impressive season under Hansi Flick, beating arch-rivals to both La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles while also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.
