Transfer Centre

Barcelona keeping tabs on Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, Diogo Dalot?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 29 September 2022

Barcelona keeping tabs on Rashford, Dalot?

Barcelona head coach Xavi is reportedly interested in signing Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot, who are both out of contract in June 2023.

Barcelona head coach Xavi is reportedly interested in signing Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot.

Both players have made bright starts to the new campaign and have established themselves as first-team regulars under new boss Erik ten Hag.

With Anthony Martial on the treatment table, Rashford has been preferred to lead the line in attack ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and has thrived in a central role, recording three goals and two assists in six Premier League matches.

Meanwhile, Dalot is regarded as United's first-choice right-back ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and he has started in all eight games across all competitions.

However, the long-term futures of both players have recently been questioned as they are due to see their contracts expire next summer, although the Red Devils allegedly have the option to extend their deals until 2024.

Diogo Dalot in action for Manchester United on August 27, 2022 © Reuters

It is understood that United are keen to tie both Rashford and Dalot down to new contracts, and talks with their representatives are underway.

According to Sport, Barcelona are keeping tabs on the United duo, with Xavi looking to bolster his squad further in the New Year.

The Catalan giants made seven summer signings despite their financial predicament, but Xavi is now targeting a new forward and a new right-back, and both Rashford and Dalot have been added to his transfer wishlist.

Rashford has been identified as a potential replacement for Memphis Depay, who is set to see his contract expire next summer.

Depay, 28, has only featured three times for Barca so far this season, with summer signing Robert Lewandowski preferred ahead of him in the starting lineup.

Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Xavi could also move for Dalot should Hector Bellerin and Sergi Roberto leave Camp Nou when their contracts expire in June 2023.

Bellerin only penned a short-term deal with Barca following his free transfer from Arsenal earlier this month, while journalist Gerard Moreno, via Carpetas FCB, claims that Roberto is likely to leave the club next summer.

Both Rashford and Dalot will be free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs from January onwards if United failed to tie them down to new deals.

Rashford is allegedly winning his battle to recover from a hamstring injury and could feature in the Manchester derby on Sunday, while Dalot – who scored twice for Portugal during the international break – is expected to retain his place in the first XI.