-Credit:Getty Images
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is reportedly eyeing up a move to Barcelona in the January transfer window and it could present an opportunity for Ruben Amorim.
Rashford, 27, has been widely expected to complete a move to AC Milan until the end of the season after admitting he was ready for a “new challenge”. The forward has been left out of seven of United’s last eight matchday squads with him facing uncertainty over his future.
Milan have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the United star with Barcelona, AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham and West Ham also credited with an interest. However, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Rashford is delaying a move to the San Siro.
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That has been also reported in Spain, which suggest the reason behind the stall is due to a desire to move to Barcelona. SPORT claim that the versatile forward is prioritising a move to the Nou Camp to work with Hansi Flick. Barca’s financial situation means they must sell to push ahead with their interest.
However, Barca have returned to the La Liga’s 1:1 rule which allows clubs to invest 84p (€1) for every such fee raised through sponsorships. Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia are two players reportedly on their transfer list but Ansu Fati’s curious case could be one of interest for United.
Winger Ansu Fati made his Barcelona debut at 16 years in 2019 -Credit:Getty Images
The 22-year-old, it’s fair to say, hasn’t lived up to the world-class expectation surrounding his name from when he became the second-youngest player to play for the club at 16 years and 298 days old in 2019. Fati has played 120 times for the Spanish giants but his drop-off has been evident.
After his loan move to Brighton & Hove Albion didn’t work out, he returned to Spain and has failed to replace Raphinha or Lamine Yamal in Flick’s attack – making just eight appearances. He was left out of the squad for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey win over Real Betis meaning he has missed three straight games.
Reports have claimed that he is on the verge of leaving the club with a potential loan deal on the cards. United haven’t been mentioned in the race for Fati but Rashford’s reported desire to move to Barcelona could be the green light for Amorim to consider a move for Fati.
Once upon a time, Fati was tipped to become one of the game’s best players. Lionel Messi famously discussed the prospect of him being the next big thing out of the La Masia academy. “I really like him and I try to help and support him,” he said in 2019. “He’s an amazing player and he’s got what it takes to succeed.
“But if I look at it through my eyes, I’d like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him.
“You have to remember that he’s only 16. I hope he keeps on enjoying it and that all the fuss around him doesn’t have a negative impact on him because he has the quality to become one of the best.”
In 2020, Fati was valued at €80million (£67.3m) and that has plummeted to just €10m (£8.4m) now. Flick is clearly not a fan of the 22-year-old and United could bolster their options in attack whilst finding a solution to their Rashford problem.