Marcus Rashford's potential move to Barcelona is gaining traction as his representatives met with Barcelona executives in Lisbon on Tuesday. The meeting highlighted Rashford's preference for Barcelona should he decide to leave Manchester United. However, complications persist regarding financial aspects and Manchester United's stance on his departure.
Barcelona, eager to strengthen their squad, views Rashford as a valuable addition. Yet, the deal faces challenges due to Manchester United's financial demands and internal priorities at Barcelona. Deco, Barcelona's sporting director, emphasized the club's current focus, stating:
"The priority is the renewals of the important players in the squad, and then we could focus on one or two reinforcements, but it is not something that the coach has asked of us either." – Deco
Manchester United, meanwhile, is actively engaged in other transfer activities. The club has lowered its demands for Alejandro Garnacho in discussions with Napoli. Initially set at a higher price, United is now open to negotiating a deal around £55 million (€65 million). The club's director of football negotiations, Matt Hargreaves, has been in Milan to explore a potential acquisition of Lecce's Patrick Dorgu. Reports from Sky in Italy suggest that a deal could materialize if Napoli increases their offer slightly above £50 million (€60 million).
Despite Rashford's prolonged absence from Manchester United's matchday squad, head coach Ruben Amorim has placed the responsibility on him to regain his position. The situation remains fluid, with United expressing openness to engaging in business at around £55 million (€65 million) for Rashford. However, Borussia Dortmund's interest hinges on significant financial considerations, particularly Manchester United contributing to Rashford's wages.
Napoli has yet to meet the asking price for Garnacho and aims to secure a deal closer to £46 million (€55 million). In parallel, Barcelona is strategizing to create salary space for Rashford by potentially parting with Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia. Deco acknowledged the financial constraints at play:
"We are dealing with the issue of [financial] fair-play." – Deco
The recent shift in AC Milan's focus from Rashford to Kyle Walker underscores the complexities surrounding Rashford's transfer. Despite these dynamics, a deal for Rashford to leave Manchester United during this transfer window appears increasingly challenging.
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