'Man United must approve Marcus Rashford's move to Barcelona as Laporta submits new offer'

Barcelona could offer Marcus Rashford the best possible exit route from Manchester United as Joan Laporta tries to facilitate his signing.

Man United are desperate to move Rashford off their hefty wage bill this summer after Ruben Amorim's side finished 15th in the Premier League table and failed to qualify for European football in any capacity.

Rashford's half-season loan spell at Aston Villa came to an early end after a hamstring injury, but that hasn't stopped United's efforts to sell him and Matheus Cunha is expected to take his number 10 shirt.

Villa's failure to qualify for the Champions League thanks to a final-day defeat at Old Trafford could harm their ability to sign Rashford permanently, after they missed out on a windfall of roughly £200million.

Barcelona take steps to faciliate Marcus Rashford transfer

Rashford's desire to leave Old Trafford matches United's desperate need to get him off their books, and the England forward has enlisted 'super agent' Pini Zahavi to facilitate a move to Barcelona this summer.

The 27-year-old's huge pay packet could see United still forced to pay £8m in a split wages deal if Barcelona are to feasibly afford Rashford, but the Spanish champions have begun to lay the groundwork.

Sky Sport.ch journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on 2 June that with Rashford now Barcelona's "priority target" in the summer transfer window, Laporta is prepared to offer him a longer contract than expected.

United will demand a fee of £29.5–£34million for Rashford to depart, and rather than the four-year deal initially tabled, Laporta now plans to offer him a five-year deal to "make the offer economically viable".

Man United won't be forced into Rashford transfer decision

The Blaugrana's financial problems are well documented and it's no surprise to see Laporta pull strings to sanction a move for Rashford, but it's become clear that the forward wants that move to Barcelona.

New contracts for both Raphinha and Lamine Yamal have underlined their importance to Hansi Flick, and any move made by Rashford will come with the acceptance that he has little chance of playing out wide.

With Cunha through the doors for £62.5million in an early statement of intent by the Red Devils, the time is now for United to end what has become a sorry saga and sanction Rashford's long-anticipated exit.