Barcelona send message to Man Utd over Marcus Rashford January transfer deal
'We have our priorities.'
Barcelona sporting director Deco said reinforcements ‘would always be welcome’ after being linked with Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has seemingly been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Ruben Amorim having not featured for United since December 12.
The former England international has since hinted that he is keen for a fresh start away from his boyhood club, with various European sides linked with a move in the January transfer window.
AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund were credited with strong interest in Rashford who is keen to turn down an offer from Saudi Arabia and stay within Europe.
Recent reports have now linked Barcelona with a move for the 27-year-old, with the forward’s representatives said to have spoken with the club’s director Deco in Lisbon on Tuesday prior to Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Benfica.
Speaking prior to that clash, Deco inistsed that the club’s priority was extending current contract with players at the club.
However, the former Chelsea midfielder did not close the door on potential incomings later in the window.
‘The most important thing for us is that we are in the contract renewal phase,’ Deco told Sport TV.
‘We have our priorities and if we can renew the contracts of the players we have now and if we can bring in other reinforcements, that would always be welcome.
‘But this is not the time to talk about that. I think it is the time to focus on the day-to-day decisions we have to make.
‘The coach is happy with the squad we have, so any future decisions will be later.’
Rashford’s £350,000-per-week wages may prove a stumbling block in any loan deal, but the Catalan giants are said to be keen on signing Rashford this month.
Talks with Rashford’s are likely to continue with several clubs, with any exit from Old Trafford expected in the later stages of the January transfer window.
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