Barcelona would reportedly prefer to land Luis Diaz or Alexander Isak out of their forward targets, but Marcus Rashford is seen as a ‘more realistic’ signing in January.

Barcelona have landed top stars from various European leagues for years. In recent times, the likes of Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski were some of their biggest snares.

It is little surprise that, though they are in financial strife, they are continuing to court some of the best players in Europe.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool’s Diaz, Newcastle’s Isak and United’s Rashford are the main forwards on the radar currently.

The potential of signing Rashford has seemed a legitimate one for weeks, given he’s essentially been banished from United’s squad under Ruben Amorim, last playing in early December. He is said to favour a move to Spain.

As such, it is believed that Rashford is the ‘more realistic’ signing of the Premier League trio. That is despite the fact it’s made clear that Barcelona would rather sign either Diaz or Isak.

That is likely as United would seemingly allow the forward to leave on loan in January, whereas there is no chance that either of the other Premier League sides would let their stars go for anything less than a massive fee.

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To get Rashford, Barca will still have to get a couple of players off the books. Indeed, they need to make space in their wage bill to be able to pay his massive contract.

It is believed they are trying to push Ansu Fati out the door, and reports have even stated that United themselves could look to bring the forward through the door on loan.

That would likely help the clubs come to an agreement on Rashford, as if Fati’s full contract was to be paid by United, it should in turn help Barcelona to be able to finance the Englishman’s deal.

READ MORE: Man Utd: Ruben Amorim ‘requests’ three ‘bombshell signings’ with INEOS ‘to meet demands’

Pundit Paul Merson has told Manchester United to “drop” Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea amid reports suggesting he could be involved in a swap deal.

The Red Devils are considering offers for Garnacho as this pure profit sale would raise funds for incoming and reduce their chances of breaking the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Garnacho has been heavily linked with Serie A giants Napoli as they are in the market for a winger to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Chelsea are also in the running to sign Garnacho.

The Argentina international is currently the most likely of Man Utd’s academy products to leave the Premier League giants this month, but it remains to be seen whether a deal can be finalised with his valuation set at around £60m.

It has also emerged that Garnacho could leave Man Utd as part of a swap deal as they are ‘seriously considering’ signing Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku.

Merson thinks Man Utd would be better off with this transfer as they need to “get that deal done”.

“If I’m Man United, I’m getting that deal done, 100 per cent. I’m dropping him [Garnacho] off and picking up Nkunku,” Merson said.

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“He’s a good player, he’s just bang unlucky at Chelsea because of Palmer whose done unbelievably well. He’s a good player.

“Honestly, if Man United got him they’d get a signing-and-a-half.

“I don’t get the Garnacho one. He’s not better than Jadon Sancho nowhere near, he’s not better than Pedro Neto. Him and Noni Madueke have their days when they’re looking good but they won’t be consistent enough.

“I don’t see where he plays but the other lad walks into the Man United team.”

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Tim Sherwood meanwhile has explained why he “can’t see” Chelsea signing Garnacho, while Nkunku to Man Utd makes more sense.

“Very surprised on the fact that I don’t think Chelsea need Garnacho. I don’t think they do [need another winger], they’ve got better players,” Sherwood said.

“Nkunku to United I can see. He’s a goalscorer, he wants to play on a regular basis and I still think Man United are a big pull.

“But for Garnacho to go the other way, I just can’t see it. I’m not sure about Garnacho, I don’t think he’s a superstar but I think he’s a lot better than a lot of the players they’ve got.

“So, when you haven’t got that many good players and someone who’s come through your academy, why would you release?”

Manchester United are reportedly looking to ‘step up’ their interest in Southampton winger Tyler Dibling, as they brace for the departure of winger Alejandro Garnacho.

Dibling was in the sights at Old Trafford prior to talk of Garnacho upping sticks. He put in a good performance against the Red Devils earlier on in the season, and followed it up with another recently.

But United are now said to want to ‘step up’ their interest in the 18-year-old, who has two goals this season, given Garnacho’s situation, per Caught Offside.

The United winger has been the subject of offers from Napoli and Chelsea, and it’s believed the Blues have raised their offer. The new report states United are bracing for the exit of the Argentine.

So they will now look to bring in Dibling, and some within United’s hierarchy believe investing in a versatile attacker such as the Saints man, along with his potential to grow, is a worthwhile approach.

More so than a move for Christopher Nkunku, with some reports stating he and Garnacho could be involved in a swap deal.

If the Dibling route is taken, United could stun Tottenham, with our friends at TEAMtalk reporting the Saints man is very keen on a move to north London, with Spurs putting in work to secure his signing.

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United also have eyes on Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume, per the report. It’s believed they want to bolster the midfield, and the No.6 would be a decent option to do that.

However, Agoume would not join in January, and any deal would be done in the summer, but with the Frenchman not commanding a massive fee.

They could also wait on Dibling, as the Red Devils reportedly believe that the reported £55million price tag on his head will drop by the summer.

READ MORE: Man Utd ‘reach’ £27m with signing ‘very close’ as Amorim drops ‘major hint’ with sanctioned exit

According to reports, Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has ‘requested’ three ‘bombshell signings’ amid claims he’s ‘frustrated’.

Amorim was appointed to replace Erik ten Hag at Man Utd towards the end of 2024 and he’s endured a difficult start at Old Trafford.

Under the 39-year-old, Man Utd have lost seven of their previous 16 matches in all competitions as he’s attempted to implement his preferred 3-4-3 system.

The Red Devils are massively underperforming as they sit 13th in the Premier League. They have also threatened to slip into the relegation picture as they are only ten points clear of the bottom three. 

Man Utd are yet to make a January signing. They have been focused on potential outgoings as a huge overhaul is required. A report from Manchester Evening News claims Amorim is ‘frustrated’ with the lack of business this month.

READ: ‘Stupid’ Man Utd transfer to ‘create bigger issue’; Man City FFP expulsion would ‘bankrupt PL’

The report explained:

‘Sources have suggested Amorim was not fully aware of United’s financial issues when he agreed to take over as head coach in November.

‘United sources have denied that and insist Amorim was given a full and transparent breakdown of the club’s financial realities when it was outlined that the days of spending £200million+ every summer were over.

‘Amorim was informed by the United hierarchy that they would have to sell to finance any incomings this month. However, United are adamant that they would only sell players out of choice and there is no pressure for a fire-sale in January.

‘United remain open to offloading players this month and could be forced into a cut-price sale of Alejandro Garnacho, recently valued at £73.76m by the CIES Football Observatory.’

Despite this, a report in Spain claims Amorim has ‘requested’ three ‘bombshell signings’ as he wants Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi.

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The report claims Hakimi is considered an ‘ideal solution’ for the wing-back department, while Amorim has ‘proposed’ Wirtz as the ‘perfect playmaker’.

As for Gyokeres, Amorim previously worked with the prolific striker at Sporting Lisbon and he is the Europe’s leading scorer in 2025.

Man Utd are lacking in forward areas as Gyokeres is said to be their ‘priority’ target.

‘Manchester United are preparing for a summer transfer market that could mark a turning point in their recent history.

‘After several years away from the Premier League fight, the Red Devils are looking to meet the demands of their coach, Rubén Amorim, with three top-level signings: Viktor Gyokeres, Florian Wirtz and Achraf Hakimi .

‘The idea is clear: build a competitive team that can regain prominence both in England and in Europe.’