Marcus Rashford 'requested by Barcelona' as Man Utd face crunch transfer decision

Barcelona are reportedly targeting Marcus Rashford as their next summer signing after failing to get Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao. The Euro 2024 winner was widely expected to join the Catalan giants after returning from Germany, but has now returned to training and seemingly committed his future to the Basque club.

Under new manager Hans Flick, Barca got their La Liga campaign off to a winning start on Saturday but were unconvincing in their 2-1 win at Valencia.

And despite the £47million addition of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig, the German boss is still looking to bolster his attacking options as he seeks to regain the title from Real Madrid this season.

According to Gol, Flick has now proposed a move for Rashford to club bosses in order to fill what he feels is a void on the left-hand side. Former Manchester City man Ferran Torres played in that role on Saturday alongside Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal up front, but was hauled off before the end after failing to impress.

Flick is said to be an admirer of Rashford’s ability to dribble and cut in from the left. The 26-year-old had been linked with Barcelona before, as well as French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

His current deal at Old Trafford runs until 2028, and any bid from Barcelona would leave Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co facing a critical decision. The forward is still perceived to be a pivotal player to Erik ten Hag, and yet he struggled badly for form in the 2023/24 campaign

He managed just eight goals in over 40 games last season and this time around, has failed to get on the scoresheet in both the Community Shield and the 1-0 Premier League win over Fulham on Friday. And he has regularly been criticised by fans and pundits for an apparent lack of effort in matches.

Despite the furore around Rashford, Ten Hag has repeatedly denied there has been any issue with the player’s attitude. And he started at Wembley last May as the Red Devils shocked Manchester City to win the FA Cup final 2-1.

But having previously been a mainstay under Gareth Southgate, Rashford’s struggles saw him aaxed from the England squad for Euro 2024. The manager later admitted his decision was due to other players performing better than the man who had represented him in England’s three previous major tournaments.

“With Marcus, I just feel that other players in that area of the pitch had better seasons,” he said, after announcing his 33-man provisional squad. “It’s as simple as that.”

Rashford isn’t the only reported target for Barcelona. AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, Juventus outcast Federico Chiesa, and Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman have also all been linked.