Barcelona is reportedly interested in acquiring Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, potentially offering Raphinha in exchange. Italian news sources like Calcio Mercato suggest this swap might be on the table, though it appears unlikely.
Rashford has had a challenging season, struggling with his performance and contributing only two goals in 14 Premier League appearances—one against Arsenal and another from a penalty against Everton. Despite a strong performance against Newcastle, he was substituted in Manchester United’s recent win over Chelsea.
Manchester United’s manager, Erik Ten Hag, has advised Rashford to take a break, and speculation about his transfer is circulating. This speculation includes a potential move to Barcelona.
Although Rashford has faced criticism, he remains a key player for Manchester United and recently signed a significant contract extension. Ten Hag continues to seek ways to enhance his performance. Meanwhile, Barcelona is considering trading Rashford for Raphinha, a 26-year-old winger who has had a difficult time at the club. Despite his struggles, Xavi Hernandez values Raphinha’s contributions more than Rashford’s at Manchester United.
Barcelona had to outbid other clubs to sign Raphinha in the summer of 2022 and may now face challenges in offloading him. With several injuries impacting the squad, Raphinha might play a more significant role this season. The club could be open to selling him for £40-50 million, and there are reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, which could help address Barcelona’s financial issues. However, Xavi has expressed a strong preference to keep Raphinha.
Similarly, Manchester United values Rashford highly and is committed to retaining him long-term.
