Marcus Rashford ‘left in limbo by his behaviour – I’m surprised by what he’s done’
Marcus Rashford should be worth three times the fee Manchester United have agreed to sell him for to Barcelona.
Ruben Amorim’s side were keen to move the England international on this summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Rashford has now sealed a move away from Old Trafford after his switch to Barcelona was confirmed last week.
The Spanish giants have the option to buy the 27-year-old for €30million (£26million) as part of the agreement, while they will also pay his entire £325,000-a-week wages.
Barcelona are currently unable to register Rashford due to La Liga’s salary rules, but they have assured him they will be able to do so by the end of the transfer window.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Barcelona have “enormous” pulling power after agreeing to sign the forward.
Rashford registered 11 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances last season, with four of those strikes coming on loan at Villa.
Marcus Rashford in probation period after Barcelona deal agreed
Borson insisted Rashford is in a probation period at Barcelona after completing his loan move.
He told Football Insider: “A lot of players over the years have always taken that chance, so they seem relaxed about it.
“I’m always surprised if you’re a player that you’re prepared to take the chance that they do manage to get through their issue again. But every single year this happens.
“There’s a big player every year who is in limbo between sort of now and the end of the window. The pull of Barcelona is enormous. There’s no question.
“I think for Rashford he’s a player who’s probably looked at it and he’s got very limited options, partly because of his behaviour in terms of what he said he’s interested in and where he’s prepared to go.
“There was some talk he wouldn’t even have gone to Villa even if Villa wanted to have done the deal, which is just ridiculous really. I would suggest he has a greatly inflated opinion of his current status in the game.
“I mean, that’s borne out by the way this deal is structured. He’s on loan and if he performs he could get sold for €30million.
“He’s a 27-year-old, he’s a very fast, experienced player, so a player of his quality on paper should be worth three times that.
“Yet he’s going through a probation period effectively for a year, and even then he’s only going for €30million.”
Man United plan to sign A-list striker after Rasmus Hojlund exit
Elsewhere, former Old Trafford chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider United want to sell Rasmus Hojlund before stepping up their efforts to sign a new first-choice striker.
Amorim’s side are keeping tabs on the likes of Ollie Watkins, Nicolas Jackson and Benjamin Sesko as they remain determined to strengthen their attacking options.
Football Insider revealed on 4 July Watkins’s move to United hinges on Hojlund’s future, with the club aiming to move him on before signing a replacement.
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