Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona hopes rocked after presidential hopeful’s frank admission | OneFootball

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has been dealt a major setback in his bid to complete a permanent move to Barcelona after a candid admission by presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana.

Permanent stay on the cards

Rashford has enjoyed a dramatic uptick in form and fortunes since he left United last summer and sealed a season-long loan switch to Barcelona.

Having been exiled from the first team by now-sacked head coach Ruben Amorim, Rashford faced an uphill task to get back into form, but he certainly made light work of it. He wasted no time in breaking into the Barcelona team and becoming a key player in their push to defend their La Liga crown.

The England international has made 21 top-flight appearances this term, contributing an impressive four goals and eight assists. He has notched 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.

Barcelona retain the option to keep him permanently for £26million. There had been suggestions that the Blaugrana wanted to negotiate a fee reduction but United have made it clear that they will not slash their asking price.

Meanwhile, Rashford has made no secret of his desire to stay at Camp Nou. However, a report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that a deal is contingent on Joan Laporta winning the upcoming presidential elections. Laporta, who sanctioned a swoop for Rashford last summer, has made keeping the forward a cornerstone of his re-election agenda.

Now, another candidate has dealt a blow to Rashford, indicating that if he wins, he is likely to prioritise a move for Jan Virgili ahead of Rashford.

Rashford setback

Barcelona sold Virgili to Mallorca a year ago. He has done well there, currently boasting six assists for them in La Liga during his first season of senior football. Rashford boasts better numbers but is nine years older.

Vilajoana, who was head of La Masia while Virgili was coming through the ranks, said [as quoted by the Manchester Evening News], “I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I’ve always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have.”

“For example, I want to give the example of Jan Virgili, who is currently playing for Mallorca. He’s a great winger. I would maybe look at [exercising the clause to re-sign him] as an option, for example, rather than paying the Rashford clause.”

“That said, it’s not just the president who arrives and makes the decision. The president arrives, puts things on the table, alternatives are considered, it’s discussed, and a decision is made.”

He added, “What I am clear on is that if [signing Rashford] is considered to be the best decision from a sporting point of view, the money will be there to make it happen.”

Meanwhile, United return to action this evening when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Kick-off is at 8pm.

Featured image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images

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