FC Barcelona could make a major impact in the upcoming transfer market. A player with a well-known name is close to wearing the blaugrana jersey next season. It's no secret that the club is looking for quality reinforcements and this summer, the move could be shocking.
It's not common for Barça to insist so much on a player who's already well-known, but this summer the story is different. This is an English forward with talent and commitment. He has already tried to reach Camp Nou before, although the deal wasn't closed.
the English star Barça wants
Marcus Rashford hasn't hidden his desire, he wants to play for Barça. In the winter transfer window, the loan didn't go through. The club preferred to focus on renewing their own players, but now, Rashford is back and he's doing so with a renewed strategy.
To make his transfer easier, he has changed his agent. Now he has Pini Zahavi, one of the most influential agents in the world of soccer. Zahavi has been behind major Barça moves, such as those of Lewandowski or coach Hansi Flick.
The agent has already spoken with the blaugrana board, even had dinner with Joan Laporta to gauge the possibility. The plan they're proposing is a one-year loan with a purchase option. In addition, Rashford would lower his salary to make the deal viable for the club.
Manchester United stands firm: only a sale
However, not everything is so easy, Manchester United isn't considering loaning Rashford. For the English club, the only way out is a permanent transfer, and the price they're asking is around €40M. In addition, Aston Villa, where he played on loan, is willing to make the purchase permanent.
The relationship between Rashford and United is tense. His poor rapport with coach Rúben Amorim makes his departure urgent. But United isn't willing to cover part of his salary or accept complicated loans.
Rashford wants to lower his salary, Barça is still considering
One of the biggest challenges for Barça is the player's salary. Rashford is one of the highest-paid in the Premier League. Even so, he has made it clear that he's willing to reduce his wages to play at Camp Nou. He wants his dream to come true, even if it means a financial effort.
Now, the ball is in FC Barcelona's court. The club has the ball, and they must decide whether to accept the conditions and give the final approval. Hansi Flick's opinion, the coach, is also awaited, as his OK is essential for the transfer to go through.