Gary Lineker makes Marcus Rashford feelings clear as Man Utd star finally closes on exit
Gary Lineker appears to approve of Marcus Rashford following in his footsteps at Barcelona. After weeks of doubt, Rashford is edging closer to sealing his dream move to Barca and out of Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
Rashford made it clear that he is keen to join Barcelona ever since concluding a loan spell at Aston Villa. He rejected a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia and has been waiting patiently for Barca and United to come to terms over a move.
The striker has been put in the 'bomb squad' at United by Ruben Amorim, who has made it clear he doesn't have a future at the club. Forced to train alongside fellow unwanted stars Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, he has placed his future in the hands of others.
United had wanted to sell him permanently for around £40million, but they have now settled on a loan deal with Barca. The Catalan giants will take him on loan for the 2025/26 season, paying the entirety of his £325,000-a-week wages, before having the chance to sign him permanently if it goes well.
That has excited Lineker, who has changed his Instagram photo to an image of the two players wearing the No.10 shirts for England while standing in front of No.10 Downing Street. Lineker is currently the only Englishman to have played for Barcelona since World War II, having led the line for the club between 1986 and 1989.
He scored 51 goals in 138 games for Barca, helping them win the Copa del Rey, and will have an eye on how Rashford gets on in Hansi Flick's side. Rashford is expected to play off the left of Barcelona's 4-3-3 formation, although he can also provide back-up for veteran centre-forward Robert Lewandowski.
Barca had tried to sign Nico Williams from Athletic Club, but the move fell through. They also showed an interest in Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, but were put off by the Reds' transfer stance.
'I don't want to speak about players which are not in my team, but of course Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford are fantastic players,' Flick said earlier in the summer. 'I like them and we'll see what happens.'
Before returning to Carrington, Rashford had been working on his fitness by himself and issued a clear plea to Barca. While on holiday in Marbella, he was asked by Spanish YouTube channel XBuyer whether he wants to play with Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the future.
"Yeah, sure. Everybody in the world wants to play with the best," the forward replied. "So hopefully, we'll see." He got four goals and six assists in 17 appearances for Villa before an injury cut short his stay in Birmingham.
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