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Marcus Rashford has heart set on Barcelona transfer despite failed January move to Spanish giants as Man Utd loanee plans for life after Aston Villa

<p>Rashford's brothers, who act as his agents, held talks with Barca in January but could not agree a deal, leaving Villa as his best choice once it was clear he would not feature for United under Ruben Amorim, reports <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/33399779/marcus-rashford-barcelona-transfer-man-utd-aston-villa/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a>. Villa have a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/marcus-rashford-aston-villa-medical-man-utd-option-to-buy-loan-deal/bltb902417180c0135a" target="_blank">£40 million ($50m) option to buy</a> Rashford at the end of the loan deal, but the report suggests he does not see his long-term future in the Midlands.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rashford has made a strong start to life at Villa, impressing off the bench in last weekend's FA Cup victory over Tottenham and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/aston-villa-vs-ipswich/cn1iiuhfe4qsy00jp5bwq1dsk" target="_blank">Saturday's Premier League draw with Ipswich</a>, when his free-kick cannoned off the bar to Ollie Watkins to equalise. The forward still has his eyes set on playing at the highest level of the game and a summer move to Barca would tick boxes that Villa may not do, considering Unai Emery's side are struggling in their quest to qualify for the Champions League again.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Rashford was clear that he viewed the move to Villa as a temporary arrangement when he signed on loan for the club, saying: "Obviously it's only short term that I'm here but I want to make the most of my time here. The only way to do that is by using my attributes and skill-sets to help the team."</p>

WHAT RASHFORD SAID

<p>Rashford is set to make his return to Champions League football next month when Villa play their last-16 tie having qualified automatically from the league stage. A summer move to Barca could then be on the cards, though the Spanish club's precarious financial situation means it is unlikely to be a smooth deal to do.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

Marcus Rashford has heart set on Barcelona transfer despite failed January move to Spanish giants as Man Utd loanee plans for life after Aston Villa | Goal.com

Marcus Rashford has his heart set on a summer move to Barcelona despite only joining Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United last month. 