Marcus Rashford takes significant step towards 'dream' Barcelona transfer | OneFootball

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is reported to have enlisted the help of super agent Pini Zahavi in order to seal his "dream" transfer to Barcelona.

Rashford has enjoyed a fruitful six-month loan with Aston Villa, racking up four goals and six assists in 17 games before picking up a hamstring injury which is expected to prevent him from returning again this season.

Villa are undecided over triggering a £40m option to buy Rashford permanently, but the final decision will come from the England international, who is a long-term target for Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain.

It is a move to Barcelona which is thought to be top of Rashford's list of priorities, and Mundo Deportivo state he is now working on turning that dream into a reality.

Rashford is said to have linked up with Zahavi, one of the world's most high-profile agents and the current representative of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick and striker Robert Lewandowski.

Zahavi boasts strong ties to Barcelona and president Joan Laporta and Rashford believes joining up with the Israeli will boost his chances of completing a summer transfer to Catalonia.

Rashford is thought to be keen on joining Barcelona / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages

Barcelona were offered the chance to sign Rashford in January and were reported to be keen, but the finances of such a deal were too much for the La Liga leaders.

They are hopeful of having greater spending power this summer but whether they will look to spend their budget on Rashford remains to be seen. Barcelona are thought to be satisfied with their options on the wing, so much so that they have left the race to sign Athletic Club star Nico Williams.

Rashford has played in a central striker role for Villa and Barcelona are looking to sign a new forward to offer cover for Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August.

Talks between Rashford and Barcelona are thought to have begun over what would likely be an initial loan deal, but United are expected to demand any agreement include the obligation to make the move permanent.