Report: Marcus Rashford angling for Barcelona move

Rashford, 27, is not part of new manager Rubem Amorim's plans and is expected to leave Old Trafford after spending the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

United are demanding a fee in the region of 40-45 million euros and are unwilling to sanction another loan, hoping instead to use the proceeds from Rashford's sale to fund their rebuild.

Despite Aston Villa's willingness to sign Rashford permanently, and their consideration of internal financial cuts to meet regulations, the player is understood to favour a move to Barcelona.

Rashford has shown a clear desire to join the Spanish giants, even expressing a willingness to lower his wages to facilitate the transfer.

His agents have already contacted Barcelona to reaffirm his interest - just as they did during the January window, when Rashford waited until the final days hoping for a move before eventually joining Villa.

However, Barcelona are currently prioritising deals for Nico Williams and Luis Díaz, with Rashford viewed as a third-choice option.

The club see him as a cheaper alternative should other plans fall through, but any potential deal would likely be structured as a loan with an option to buy - something United are not inclined to accept.