MARCUS RASHFORD’s potential loan move to Barcelona could fall apart – because of Aston Villa’s transfer business.
The out-of-favour Manchester United star, 27, has been linked with a temporary switch to the Nou Camp.
Rashford has been a target for Dortmund, AC Milan and Napoli this window after being frozen out by new Utd boss Ruben Amorim.
But his mammoth £325,000-a-week wages have proved a stumbling block in negotiations.
Barcelona are reportedly desperate to bring the 27-year-old in to turn around their stuttering LaLiga campaign.
To do so, they have to save enough money to register him within their league spending cap.
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According to ESPN, Barcelona were desperate for Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza to join Aston Villa earlier this month.
The Catalan giants retain 50 per cent of any future transfer fee the defender raises after selling him to Celta in 2022.
That deal never materialised, with Villa instead turning to Levante’s Andres Garcia to shore up their defensive options.
The report adds Rashford has been “offered to every top club in France, Spain and Italy.”
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Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Marseille were all reportedly contacted.
Barcelona had also hoped to raise funds by selling winger Ansu Fati.
But he is reportedly unwilling to leave the club this January.
As such, they are scrambling around late in the window – and may not be able to raise enough cash to afford Rashford.
The England striker watched from the stands as Man Utd beat Rangers 2-1 in the Europe League on Thursday.
He was left out of Amorim‘s squad again – despite the Red Devils boss having three spaces spare on his bench.
Rashford has now been dumped out by Amorim for ten-straight games.
Rashford has been frozen out since giving an interview last month where he declared he was “ready for a new challenge.”
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Despite not playing against Rangers, Rashford gave his full support to his teammates from the terraces.
Speaking on Instagram, the forward posted his view of the pitch, accompanied by the caption: “Come on the boys”.
Man Utd ratings: Bruno Fernandes captain fantastic in last-gasp win but Harry Maguire asleep in dreadful cameo
MANCHESTER UNITED all but sealed automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to a last-gasp win over Rangers.
The Red Devils welcomed the Scottish giants to Old Trafford in the penultimate group match of their European campaign on Thursday night.
And they took a giant step towards a top-eight finish thanks to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
A calamitous own second-half goal from Gers stopper Jack Butland broke the deadlock.
Cyriel Dessers thought he’d rescued a point for the visitors in the 88th minute before Bruno Fernandes broke the hearts of the travelling Teddy Bears four minutes later.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence was in attendance for the Battle of Britain and is on hand to rate and slate the performances of Ruben Amorim’s side.
Altay Bayindir – 7
The Turk is a better keeper than No 1 Andre Onana, especially dealing with corners.
Took a sore one colliding with Toby Collyer showing exactly that.
Leny Yoro – 5
The £52m central defender was deployed on the right side of Rubin Amorim’s three-man rearguard.
Youngster was shaky at times but looked better when he had the ball.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Terrible early touch stranded Toby Collyer – Nicolas Raskin’s even worse touch let him off the hook.
Hooked at the break – no surprise there, although Amorim said afterwards that he “felt something”.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Once known as The Butcher of Amsterdam but he’s long lost that scary presence.
Another one who doesn’t look happy in the new system.
Amad Diallo – 7
Looks a bit different these days since his tough time on loan at Rangers three years ago.
Not on wonder-boy form this time but still a threat.
Toby Collyer – 6
Made his first appearance on a European stage and the boy done good.
The 21 year old is a very decent emerging midfielder.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Turns 33 next month and his legs aren’t really up to playing in centre midfield.
He’s always been a creator anyway but he dug in.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Started out on his wrong foot as a left wing back.
Switched midway through the second half and looked far more comfortable.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
You wonder if he drives himself as mad as he must do his manager at times. But scored a fantastic winner.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Ruben. He’s NOT a centre-forward.
Whatever £36m bought, it wasn’t a natural striker and it’s unfair to be playing him up there on his own.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8
Busy and focused – didn’t look like any talk of being sold to Chelsea was bothering him.
On this sparkling evidence United would be mad to let him go anywhere.
SUBS
Maguire (for De Ligt 46) 3 Totally asleep for Rangers’ equaliser.
Malacia (for Yoro 56) 5 : Looking happier now injury worries over
Ugarte (for Collyer 73) 5 : Put in a solid short spell.
Mainoo (Eriksen 73) 5 : Added strength and mobility.
Hojlund (for Zirkzee 82) 5 : Ran about a bit – he’s good at that.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
