Marcus Rashford has intensified speculation about a potential move to Barcelona after publicly expressing admiration for the club’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal. The Manchester United forward, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain, revealed he would relish the opportunity to play alongside Yamal, further stoking transfer rumours ahead of a pivotal summer.
Rashford has long been linked with a switch to the Catalan giants. Recent developments suggest talks have already taken place between his camp and Barcelona. His brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, is said to have held discussions with Barcelona’s sporting leadership in a bid to explore a potential £40 million move, with the player reportedly keen to relaunch his career away from the Premier League.
In a recent interaction with a Spanish influencer while holidaying in Marbella, Rashford did little to hide his intentions. When asked about the possibility of playing with Yamal, he said, “Of course I’d love to. Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully… we’ll see.” His comments, paired with his remarks about Spain being “nice” and “not too far from home,” have only added fuel to the ongoing rumours.
Rashford’s relationship with United’s current manager, Ruben Amorim, appears to be strained. The Portuguese tactician is reportedly unconvinced about the forward’s long-term role in the team, especially given Rashford’s inconsistent form and high wages. The player spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa, and United are believed to be open to permanent offers in the region of £40 million. Offloading Rashford’s £315,000-per-week salary is seen as a financial priority, with the club also viewing any sale as pure profit under Financial Fair Play guidelines.
However, Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona may face competition from within. The Spanish giants are currently prioritizing the signing of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. Reports suggest personal terms have already been agreed upon, and new Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is eager to secure Williams’ signature early in the summer window.
Despite the uncertainty, Barcelona have acknowledged their interest in Rashford, alongside Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, signalling that a move to Spain is still very much on the table. With three years left on his current contract, Rashford is not short of suitors, but his preference seems clear: a club competing in the Champions League that can help him secure a place in England’s World Cup squad under manager Thomas Tuchel.
With pre-season around the corner, Rashford’s future looks increasingly likely to be decided in the coming weeks. Whether that future includes Lamine Yamal and Barcelona remains to be seen, but the signs are becoming harder to ignore.
