Barcelona make stance on Marcus Rashford transfer clear after Man Utd star reaches out

Barcelona make stance on Marcus Rashford transfer clear after Man Utd star reaches out

Marcus Rashford is keen on Barcelona after being granted permission to report to Manchester United pre-season late but the La Liga giants have made it clear he was not their first choice

Marcus Rashford could still get a move to Barcelona (Image: Getty Images )

Barcelona maintain an interest in Marcus Rashford but it has been suggested that the Manchester United star is not at the top of the Catalan giants' summer wishlist.

On Friday it was confirmed that Rashford, 27, will not have to return to United's Carrington base for the start of pre-season on Monday so he can secure a move away from the club with no prospect of him being reintegrated into Ruben Amorim's plans.

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And United have already taken the No.10 shirt from Rashford and given it to new signing Matheus Cunha, who has arrived from Wolves for £62.5m.

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Bayern Munich are also looking at a move for Rashford, who is open to playing abroad but favours a switch to Barcelona. Reports earlier this week said that Rashford has made contact with Barcelona, after their £58million deal to sign Nico Williams collapsed in spectacular fashion.

Rashford is said to have indicated a willingness to take a cut on his salary to help secure a move to the Nou Camp. But Barca, per Mundo Deportivo, see him as a Plan B signing rather than a top target.

Williams, 22, was in talks to join Barca but on Friday it was announced that he had signed a new long-term deal with Athletic Club that includes a release clause of about £80m. Arsenal had also been looking at the winger who rose to prominence when Spain won last summer's European Championship, beating England in the final.

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Aston Villa, for whom Rashford shone in parts while on loan for the second half of last season, decided against picking up an option to make his switch permanent.

Beyond Rashford, Manchester United have granted permission for four other players to NOT return for pre-season training on Monday as they seeks moves away.

Rashford ended the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa (Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images )

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Alejandro Garnacho was reportedly told he could find a new club after row over being benched for May's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.

Chelsea turned down the chance to sign Jadon Sancho for £5m at the end of his mediocre loan move last season and has recently been linked with a switch to Juventus.

Antony spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Betis and was keen on making deal permanent but financial hurdles have complicated it, while left back Tyrell Malacia was at PSV Eindhoven for the second portion of last season, making 12 appearances in all competitions.

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United remain keen on a move for Bryan Mbeumo but they are yet to meet Brentford's asking price, which is reportedly north of £65m.

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