Rashford dragged into Barca’s transfer dilemma

Barcelona’s January transfer window strategy could take an unexpected turn as doubts emerge about Christopher Nkunku’s fitness, leaving Marcus Rashford as a more tempting—but complicated—option.

The Blaugrana have been eyeing Manchester United’s out-of-favor Rashford, who has been benched for three consecutive games by manager Ruben Amorim, sparking transfer rumors.

With Rashford reportedly unhappy about being made available for transfer without his knowledge, Barcelona leads the race to secure his signature, having already proposed a loan deal with an option to buy for £35 million—an offer United swiftly rejected for failing to meet their valuation.

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Meanwhile, Barcelona has been pitched another high-profile name—Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku. The French forward, who has struggled to break into Enzo Maresca’s starting XI, was reportedly offered to the Catalan club by agent Pini Zahavi.

However, Nkunku’s injury history raises concerns, with Barcelona hesitant to commit to a player who might spend more time on the sidelines than on the pitch.

Rashford, at 27, has shown flashes of brilliance this season with seven goals in 24 appearances but remains a divisive figure due to Manchester United’s dismal league position—13th heading into Christmas. Amorim has publicly defended his decision to leave Rashford out, citing “selection” choices as the rationale.

With Barcelona juggling financial constraints, the club’s decision could hinge on negotiating creative deals, such as securing loans or wage-sharing agreements. For now, the allure of Rashford’s star power and proven track record may outweigh Nkunku’s potential upside, but the road to a deal remains fraught with challenges.

Will Barca gamble on Rashford’s resurgence, or take a risk on Nkunku’s recovery? One thing’s for sure—this transfer saga is just heating up.