Latest news with #Deco
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Man United's Marcus Rashford closing in on Barcelona switch after pre-season exile
LONDON, July 20 — Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford is closing in on a move to Barcelona, reports said on Saturday. The 27-year-old has not played for his boyhood club since December 12, and joined Aston Villa on loan in early February. The Spanish champions have reportedly been his preferred destination since he was dropped by United manager Ruben Amorim. Britain's Press Association said talks were progressing on a deal to take Rashford to Barcelona, with a season-long loan including an option to buy being worked on. Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. The England international admitted he was 'ready for a new challenge' in December and last month revealed he would like to play alongside Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. Rashford has trained away from Amorim's first-team squad since pre-season began. Barcelona sporting director Deco said in May that he liked Rashford and head coach Hansi Flick described the forward as a 'fantastic player'. Rashford does not have a squad number at United having lost the 10 shirt to Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, who arrived at Old Trafford during the current transfer window along with left-back Diego Leon. Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo is expected to join them after United finally struck a deal with Brentford worth an initial £65 million (RM355 million). United will likely have to fund any further deals through departures. Even if Rashford were to leave initially on loan, the savings on the wage bill would be significant. Barcelona had looked set to sign Spain winger Nico Williams but the 23-year-old recently signed a new 10-year contract at Athletic Bilbao. The Catalan giants won a league and cup double last season – Flick's first campaign at the club. — AFP
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Unwanted at Man Utd but wanted by Barca - why would they sign Rashford?
Unwanted at Manchester United, yet wanted by Rashford, an Old Trafford outcast since the end of last year, is edging ever closer to a dream move to the Nou Camp after a deal in principle was not a transfer which comes completely out of the blue, with Rashford reportedly long having his heart set on a switch to the Spanish giants and saying only last month he wanted to play alongside teenage superstar Lamine too, have not hidden their interest in the 27-year-old England forward. In May, sporting director Deco admitted they "like" Rashford and suggested he could "improve the team".But that is the bit that currently has people talking - could he really?BBC Sport tries to explain how Rashford finds himself on the brink of joining Barcelona and why they actually want to sign him. How did we get to this point? Rashford's departure from Old Trafford has been a relatively long time Ruben Amorim dropped him for the Manchester derby on 15 December last year - and he has not played for United later criticised Rashford for a perceived lack of effort, suggesting that he would rather give a place on the bench to his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than someone who "doesn't give the maximum every day".He joined Aston Villa on loan in January, making 17 appearances and earning an England recall, but returned to Old Trafford last month with his longer-term future still that uncertainty has been more about where he would go rather than whether he would stay, with Rashford one of five players who told the club they wanted to leave - and who were subsequently told to train separately from the rest of the squad."There is no doubt a fully-motivated, focused and determined Marcus Rashford would walk into Ruben Amorim's team," said BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone."But, in reality, that Rashford has only been seen for one full season since 2021 and the campaign that led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting sacked."There were signs of the old Rashford during his half season loan at Villa - but there were also games where he didn't perform so well."Offloading an unwanted player to Barcelona is bizarre for a club in Manchester United's position. But that is where they are right now. What they have to do is maximise the opportunity."At Old Trafford, they cannot worry about optics. They have to deliver a squad Amorim can drive up the table." So why are Barca trying to sign him? If United, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, don't want Rashford - why are La Liga champions Barcelona after him?Barca haven't exactly struggled for goals over the past year, scoring 102 on their way to winning the also netted 43 as they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2024-25, the second-most in a single campaign. If anything, their shortcomings were at the back rather than up that hasn't stopped them seeking attacking reinforcements."Strengthening the left-hand side of the forward line has been Barcelona's priority all summer and, for a long time, it appeared they'd be successful in snapping up their number one target, Nico Williams," said Spanish football writer Andy West."But the Athletic Bilbao winger eventually opted to sign a new contract with his current club, so Barca were forced to look elsewhere, with an attempted move for Liverpool's Luis Diaz also falling through."While they would have been prepared to pay a fee for both Williams and Diaz, there is a financial advantage to signing Rashford - the deal would initially be on loan with an option to buy."Barcelona's long-standing financial problems are still an issue and they were hoping to raise funds by selling goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been supplanted by new signing Joan Garcia," added West."But that plan has been foiled by the German veteran requiring back surgery, which means that signing Rashford on loan has become even more enticing."Stone added: "If it is a loan with an option to buy as expected, Barca can't lose."Don't forget, Chelsea effectively loaned Jadon Sancho for a season, then sent him back to Manchester United despite having an obligation to buy after an inconsistent campaign." How would he fit in to Europe's most potent attack? Rashford's best position has been widely discussed and debated, having operated both off the left-hand side and as a central striker during his his capacity to play in both positions is part of the attraction to Barcelona."Barca are conscious that star striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 next month, cannot be expected to start every game," said West. "So Rashford's ability to play as a centre-forward or a false nine further adds to his appeal."His main opportunities, however, will come on the left wing, which has been a problem position for Barca ever since Neymar's departure to Paris St-Germain eight years ago."In the current squad, Raphinha has been re-invented by coach Hansi Flick as a central playmaker, while Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres are unsuited to the left flank."So now Rashford has the chance to establish himself alongside Raphinha, Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal in Flick's first-choice front four." So can he still perform at the same level as Barca's other forwards?Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since making his United debut as an 18-year-old in 2016, adding a further 17 in 62 games for has vast experience at the very top level - and, at 27, still has potentially many of his best years ahead of potential is a word often used in tandem with Rashford's name and not since 2022-23 has he reached the 20-goal mark in a impressing at times at Villa Park, he still only scored twice in the Premier League - one of those a penalty."Barcelona know they are taking a bit of a risk," said Stone. "And it is not entirely clear what their plan for Rashford is - it definitely will not be taking the place of Lamine Yamal."But they also know, at anywhere near the top of his game, the 27-year-old, in theory approaching the peak years of his career, could be a major asset in La Liga and the Champions League."
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona's next signing gets the ‘here we go'
La Liga giants Barcelona have on Saturday tied up a deal for the club's next high-profile signing. This comes amid confirmation that a deal is now in place for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford to seal a dream move to the Camp Nou. The name of frontman Rashford has of course dominated the headlines in Catalunya's capital for several weeks now. This comes after Barcelona's failed pursuit of Nico Williams, coupled with Liverpool's tough stance on Luis Díaz's sale, guided Deco and co. in the direction of the out-of-favour Man United man. Earlier today, the Blaugrana, in turn, moved ahead with a proposal for Rashford's signature. And as alluded to above, just hours on, the Spanish champions appear to have landed their man. As per a report from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano: 'Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, here we go! Verbal agreement in principle between all parties involved with Barça planning for medical tests next days. Loan deal with buy option, details being finalised today then Man Utd will authorize his travel to Spain.' Conor Laird – GSFN
BreakingNews.ie
19 hours ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Barcelona pushing to complete signing of Manchester United's Marcus Rashford
Barcelona are pushing to complete the signing of Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, the PA news agency understands. The 27-year-old has not played for his boyhood club since being hauled off in a Europa League match away to Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and ended the season on loan at Aston Villa. Advertisement Rashford has trained away from Ruben Amorim's first-team since pre-season began and appears to be edging closer to a dream switch to Barcelona. PA understands talks are progressing on a deal to take the United outcast to the LaLiga outfit, with a season-long loan including an option to buy being worked on. Marcus Rashford ended last season on loan at Aston Villa (Nick Potts/PA) Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. The England international admitted he was 'ready for a new challenge' in December and last month revealed he would like to play alongside Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. Advertisement Barcelona sporting director Deco in May told Catalan radio station RAC1 that the club 'like' Rashford, who does not have a squad number having lost the 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) The Brazil international and left-back Diego Leon have arrived at United this summer, with forward Bryan Mbeumo set to join them at Old Trafford. The Cameroon international is in the process of completing his move after United finally struck a deal with Brentford worth £65million plus up to £6million in add-ons.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Milan chief speaks out on Barcelona's Denzel Dumfries interest
Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio has late this week spoken out on the recent speculation linking defensive star Denzel Dumfries with a move to La Liga champions Barcelona. The name of wing-back Dumfries has of course emerged as a prominent one in the headlines in Catalunya's capital over recent weeks. This comes after widespread reports were forthcoming, suggesting that Deco and co. were giving real consideration to a move for the Dutchman's signing. Dumfries' Inter Milan release clause has been slashed to just €25 million for the month of July, making him something of a market opportunity. Speaking during an exchange with the media this weekend, the subject of the 29-year-old's Barcelona links was therefore put to the aforementioned Piero Ausilio. The Inter chief, though, went on to assure: 'We have not received any formal approach from Barça for Denzel Dumfries. There's a release clause, it's true… but it will expire soon and we will keep going'. Conor Laird – GSFN
