Deal in principle agreed for Rashford to join Barcelona

A preliminary agreement regarding a potential loan move to Barcelona has gotten closer to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford’s desired move.

Since Rashford suggested a new challenge in December after being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim, Barcelona have always been his preferred destination.

According to BBC Sport, intermediaries have engaged in discussions, and a general verbal agreement has been reached.

Earlier this summer, Spanish champions Barcelona were interested in signing Spain winger Nico Williams.

However, Athletic Bilbao gave the 22-year-old a new 10-year contract.

Rashford made 17 appearances on loan at Aston Villa during the second half of last season, scoring four goals and adding six assists.

In a dispute over their futures, he is one of five United players told to train separately from Amorim’s squad, and he is also the highest-paid of the five.

While Amorim is still with United, the 27-year-old is unsure whether he will play there again.

In order to strengthen Amorim’s squad, he would be very beneficial to United.

With the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo costing more than £130m, potential deals must be made through departures.

Deco, the Barcelona sporting director, has previously expressed his admiration for Rashford and Luis Diaz, both of whom.

He told Catalan radio station RAC1 in May that “there are names that we know and that could improve the team.”

He declared, “We like Luis, Rashford, and other players.”

Rashford for his part stated last month that he wanted to play alongside Lamine Yamal, a teenager, at Barcelona.

Everyone wants to use the best, according to the statement. In an interview with Spanish influencer Javi Ruiz, he said, “Hopefully, we’ll see.”

Rashford’s Old Trafford contract runs until June 2028, but the England international was relegated to Carrington to train while the first team traveled to Sweden, where they drew 0-0 with newly promoted Leeds United in their opening pre-season game on Saturday. The England international has not been given a squad number for the new year.

Rashford made his debut as an 18-year-old under Louis van Gaal in February 2016 at his hometown club, rising through the academy ranks.

Since being substituted for Czech side Viktoria Plzen for a 2-1 Europa League win over the Czech side on December 12, he has made 138 goals for the club in 426 appearances.

Rashford was dropped for the league game against Manchester City at the Etihad later that month after Amorim expressed his concerns over the work he and team-mate Alejandro Garnacho had put in.