Tottenham will reportedly make a move to sign Marcus Rashford if the forward doesn’t complete a permanent switch to Barcelona this summer – and on the condition Spurs avoid relegation.
Rashford left Manchester United to join Barcelona on a season-long loan deal last summer with the option to make the arrangement permanent for €30million (£26m).
The England international enjoyed a very bright first-half of the season in Spain, enjoying his football again with 10 of his 13 goals coming before the end of January.
Head coach Hansi Flick is eager for the permanent move to go through but despite the forward scoring three in his four appearances, major doubts have emerged.
Reports in Spain have claimed the La Liga giants will attempt to negotiate a lower fee for the permanent switch – something United have no intention of doing. Should the stand-off continue, Rashford will be expected to return to Carrington for pre-season after this summer’s World Cup.
Catalan daily SPORT report it is increasingly likely Rashford will be heading back to Manchester where another permanent move away will be explored.
Rashford spent the second-half of last season on loan at Aston Villa with the publication reporting Tottenham have shown ‘genuine interest in signing the 28-year-old.
Any plans Tottenham have this summer however hinge on them avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Despite winning their first game of the year away to Wolves on Saturday, Spurs remain in the relegation zone, two points clear of survival with four games left.
Should they go down, any plans to sign Rashford will be a write-off.
United legend Rio Ferdinand recently described that reported £26m arrangement with Barcelona as ‘absolute robbery’. But while there have been reports claiming Michael Carrick is open to integrating Rashford into the squad, Ferdinand believes his time at the club is up.
‘Potentially he’s that good, it’s just that we haven’t seen it for a while at Manchester United and there’s obviously reasons behind that.
‘But let’s forget that now, that page is turned. He’s now at Barcelona, ten goals, ten assists this season, what a loan signing he has been for Barcelona if you look at it like that.
‘Would you have that Marcus Rashford back [at Manchester United]? 100 per cent, but I think that ship has sailed.’
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