Barcelona want Marcus Rashford loan but Man United aiming for £40m sale
Barcelona are preparing to make a loan bid for Marcus Rashford even if they sign their top target Nico Williams this summer.
Barcelona are in talks with Athletic Bilbao over a potential deal for Williams, who has a £50million release clause in his contract, and the Spain winger has informed his employers that he would like to make the switch to the Nou Camp this summer, having refused a similar offer last year.
Williams, 22, plays on the left wing, as does one of Barcelona's best performers from this season, Raphinha, but although Rashford prefers to play on the left too Barcelona will still attempt to bring the 27-year-old England international to the Catalan club this summer.
It is understood that the Barcelona head coach, Hansi Flick, is a fan of Rashford and is aware of his flexibility in that he can operate on either flank or as a No9.
Williams remains Barcelona's top target but the club would still be willing to bring in Rashford alongside him
WOLFGANG RATTAY/REUTERS
The Manchester United academy graduate started his career at Old Trafford as a centre forward and with Robert Lewandowski approaching his 37th birthday in August, Flick thinks it would be wise to have a back-up to the Poland striker, who scored 27 La Liga goals to help Barcelona to the Spanish title this season.
Rashford made it clear that he would like to move to Barcelona last week when he spoke to the Spanish YouTuber Javier Ruiz.
When asked by Ruiz if he would like to play alongside the 17-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, Rashford said: 'Everyone in the world wants to play with the best, so hopefully [it will happen]. We will see.'
Rashford spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa after falling out with the United head coach, Ruben Amorim, who accused him of not applying himself properly in training. Rashford scored four goals and set up six more in his 17 appearances for Villa.
United could save £325k a week if another club paid Rashford's wages during a loan move
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER BRADLEY ORMESHER
Rashford is unlikely to play for United while Amorim is in charge and the player has let it be known that he would prefer a move to a club that are playing in the Champions League next season.
The club would like to sell Rashford on a permanent basis this summer. They are looking for a fee of about £40million for the player, who has three years left on his contract.
If United loan Rashford to Barcelona they could bank some money by asking for a loan fee and demanding that the Spanish champions pay his £325,000-a-week wages. Removing Rashford's wages from the books alone would save United almost £17million a year.
Amorim has vowed to revamp his squad this summer after they finished 15th this term and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
United have signed Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £62.5million and are closing in on a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo for a similar fee.
United will consider offers for most of their players this summer. Jadon Sancho, who was on loan at Chelsea this season, has become a target for the Turkish side Fenerbahce.
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