Spanish giants Barcelona are set to sign Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann for £105 million after the French star told the Atleti board that he wants to leave the club.
The World Cup-winning star was to sign with the Catalan giants last year, but signed a new contract with Atletico.
The deal to get Griezmann to Barcelona has progressed over the last week, but if the La Liga champions don’t get the French forward, Mundo Deportivo claim that Barca might pursue Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, among others.
The club’s sporting directors are supposedly big fans of the English striker and he could be Barca’s “plan B”, and likes his “attack and versatility”.
Rashford and Manchester United haven’t agreed on a new deal for him yet, with the Englishman’s contract set to expire in 2020. Rumours from last month said that the Red Devils could demand £150 million for the 21-year-old.
Since making his Manchester United debut in 2016, the versatile forward has scored 45 goals in his 170 appearances for the Red Devils, while also scoring 6 goals for the English national team.
Can Manchester United afford to lose Rashford?
It would be one of the biggest losses for Manchester United if they sell Marcus Rashford or lose him for free. It is a sign of the times that the Red Devils have not tied down one of their prized academy graduates to a long-term contract.
The club are in a turmoil on the pitch and in the boardroom, with not much going right. Losing Rashford would only heighten the crisis that exists at the Premier League club.
With Romelu Lukaku set to leave the club after just two seasons at Old Trafford, and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer reportedly unhappy with Anthony Martial, United are left with Rashford as the only central striker at the club.
While United do need another top-class striker as well, Rashford has to be a part of Manchester United’s future.
The attacker’s pace, dribbling ability, and directness are useful weapons when he’s played out wide or as a striker. While his finishing is not up to scratch yet, it’s easy to forget that he’s just 21 years of age and he will improve in the future.
Simply put, Rashford is the present and the future of United, and the Red Devils fanbase will be angered and turn on the board if they sell a talent like him.
