Manchester United have received a major boost in their negotiations for one £40 million star after the latest reports from this week.
Manchester United are poised for major changes this summer following one of their most disappointing campaigns in recent memory.
Ruben Amorim has already seen Matheus Cunha join the club whole Bryan Mbeumo is expected to join him after the Reds placed their first bid to Brentford this week.
A number of departures are also expected, with United in need of generating cash, including several players currently out on loan — among them Marcus Rashford and Antony.
Rashford, now 27, spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, though a permanent move to the Midlands club appears unlikely. The England international is said to favour a move abroad, a desire he reportedly held even before leaving Old Trafford in January.
Barcelona have emerged as his preferred destination, but reports suggest that they are not willing to pay the £40 million United are looking for this summer.
United receive boost in Rashford negotiations
It has been well reported that Barcelona have also held interest in Luiz Diaz alongside Rashford. Manager Hansi Flick praised both of them in a recent press conference.
“Normally I don’t want to speak about players that are not in my team, but of course both of them are fantastic players,” the German boss told reporters.
However, it has now been revealed by David Ornstein that Barcelona approached Liverpool on Wednesday to discuss a potential deal for Diaz and were clearly told that the player is not for sale.
This could give United a major boost in their negotiations with Barcelona as it now seems obvious that Rashford is their favourite option to bolster their forward depth.
It is also important to note that Rashford is desperate to be playing consistent football next term so he can try and earn a place at the 2026 World Cup – he cannot really afford to risk waiting until the last day of the window in case he ends up staying at Old Trafford.
United need exits to happen
United do not need to stay firm on their £40 million valuation of Rashford, as they really just need these players off the books rather than heading out on more loan moves.
Whether Barcelona can afford a structured deal which ends up closer to that mark remains to be seen but they no longer have the option of Diaz as an alternative.
Waiting until the final moments of the window is what United need to avoid and if Barcelona can approach Liverpool so early on, there is no reason why negotiations for a Rashford deal cannot get underway properly soon.
It is clear that United need sales to move forward in their own transfer business and Rashford’s exit, as pure profit, is something that will help in that department even if they end up accepting less than £40 million.
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