English striker Marcus Rashford, from Manchester United, may leave the English club and move to Spain
On Wednesday, the agent of English striker Marcus Rashford was in Barcelona to speak with Deco, the sporting director of the Catalan team, who is looking to sign the player. The athlete belongs to Manchester United, but was loaned to Aston Villa this season. The information is from the Spanish newspaper Sport.
A long-time dream of Barcelona, Rashford ended the season with a thigh injury while playing for Aston Villa. The striker played an important role in the final stretch of the season for Unai Emery’s team, being a protagonist in the FA Cup campaign, where the team reached the semifinals, and in the English Championship, where the club finished in sixth place.
However, Rashford’s permanence at Aston Villa is not guaranteed. Although Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s coach, does not count on the player, the Red Devils’ management expects a financial return for the 27-year-old striker.
Barcelona have therefore opened talks with Rashford’s agent, seeking to sign him. Even with the renewal of Yamal and Raphinha’s contracts, coach Hansi Flick is hoping for another option in the team’s attacking sector.
Barcelona are expected to make an offer of 40 million euros (around R$257.7 million), or try to arrange a loan with an option to buy from Manchester United. Rashford has a contract with the English club until 2028.
From idol to discarded: Rashford in Manchester
Rashford was revealed by Manchester United in 2016 and made an immediate impact on the Red Devils, even becoming the team captain. The striker played 426 times, being the 20th most-capped player in the club’s history. He scored 138 goals, provided 63 assists and helped the team win a Europa League and two FA Cups.
However, with the arrival of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim, Rashford lost his place in the Manchester United squad. With little playing time under the new coach, the English striker asked to leave and was loaned to Aston Villa to return to playing and perform well, with four goals and six assists in 17 matches.
