Barcelona will “go all out” in their search for a loan deal. act According to a report in Spain, he is set to replace exiled Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford.
The England international’s future at his boyhood club has been in serious doubt since United reportedly put him up for sale earlier this season. Rashford fueled those rumors when he confirmed his desire for a “new challenge” after missing the Manchester derby in December.
Rashford has not played for United since that explosive interview, although head coach Ruben Amorim has been deliberately vague in explaining his star striker’s continued absence.
Despite earning a salary of over £300,000 a week, Rashford has attracted interest from several clubs across the continent. AC Milan were the first to make a formal offer for the 27-year-old and there are extensive links with numerous clubs in Saudi Arabia.
However, Spain has long been considered Rashford’s “dream destination”. Barcelona were named as his preferred club last month and that move could now go ahead, it is claimed SPORT.
The Spanish publication claims that Barcelona are looking at a variety of options to find space for Rashford’s salary within La Liga’s salary caps. A six-month loan until the end of the current campaign – with no obligation to buy – is considered “a very real option”.
One consequence of the desperate battle to re-register Dani Olmo is that the cash-strapped Catalan giants have introduced the ‘1:1 rule’, ensuring every penny they earn can be spent in the transfer market.
In-demand centre-back Ronald Araujo could leave this month, as could Eric Garcia and forgotten prodigy Ansu Fati, freeing up more money for Rashford’s possible arrival.
While Barcelona’s proposal requires a lot of financial fiddling, Ligue 1 club Monaco are in a strong economic position to offer a realistic package for Rashford, it is said The Telegraph. The Principality club is keen on United’s striker and has the advantage of being based in a tax haven, giving it more scope to finance his high salary.