Barcelona eye Manchester United’s best player as backup for Lautaro Martinez

Barcelona shortlists Manchester United’s talismanic forward as their backup signing if the Lautaro Martinez operation fails.

The relentless pursuit for Neymar and Lautaro Martinez continues at the office in Barcelona that are hell-bent on signing the pair in the summer to build a squad that could compete for the coveted Champions League trophy.

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Although the Catalan’s are adamant on signing either of the two players, it seems to be a far fetched plan that would most likely not materialise since the club currently lacks the funds to pull off such a huge transfer nor do they have the option available to sell players to raise their transfer budget.

Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele have made it clear to the board, as earlier reported, that would not move in the coming summer despite the strong rumours. Bayern Munich has also turned down the offer of signing Philippe Coutinho who recently sustained an injury that would keep him out of play for the remainder of the season. Samuel Umtiti also picked up an injury on the first day of training ever since the league was suspended and his injury has possibly waived off all the interest that was shown earlier.

With a tight transfer budget and no potential players to be sold in the market to raise cash, Josep Maria Bartomeu has devised a backup plan to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, according to Don Balon.

The England international has been considered as a good fit at the Camp Nou by Bartomeu and Quique Setien since the 22-year old forward can be deployed as a center-forward or on the wings due to his versatility upfront.

Although the Red Devil forward prefers playing as a striker, he has been used as a winger by different managers at the Old Trafford based on the availability of Anthony Martial.

The management at Barca is aware that the England international who came up the ranks at Manchester United’s youth academy wants to continue at the Old Trafford for years to come and bring glory to his boyhood beloved club, however, the recent lack of success and struggle of the club has made the player think twice on his future given his immense potential that could be used elsewhere.

With an injury-stricken and aged Luis Suarez, Marcus Rashford could be the perfect replacement since the 22-year old forward has proven his consistency since the past few seasons at the Premier League by 41 goals and providing 20 assists.

Most importantly, unlike, Antoine Griezmann who struggles on the wings, Marcus Rashford has scored 28 goals in his career while being deployed as a left-winger on the field which also the same position that the former Atletico Madrid forward has struggled with at the Camp Nou.

The arrival of the Manchester United man could possibly see Antoine Griezmann shift towards the center which is his natural position along with Lionel Messi on the right-wing and the England international on the left. The England international is currently valued at 68 million euros when compared to the 111 million euro Argentine striker who has performed for just half-season in the Serie A.

Would you want to see Marcus Rashford as a Blaugrana this summer or a few years later?