Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has reportedly given the green light for a swap deal involving Ansu Fati and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
Rashford has been left out of the Red Devils' squad for the last two matches, with Ruben Amorim citing a lack of effort in training as part of the reason for his omission.
Alejandro Garnacho was also excluded from the team for their 2-1 victory over cross-town rivals Manchester City, but the Argentine returned to the setup for their 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup in midweek.
The 27-year-old England international is said to be unhappy with the situation and has admitted that he may be ready for a new challenge, which has prompted widespread speculation that he could depart Old Trafford as soon as the January transfer window.
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Barcelona plotting Rashford move in January
According to reports in Spain via football365, Barcelona officials have expressed strong interest in Rashford and are looking to use Fati as part of a deal to bring him to Catalonia.
The report adds that Barca have consulted Flick for his opinion on the potential transfer, and the manager is believed to have given his approval on the move.
It is understood that the Catalans' boss sees Rashford as a player who can bring "more versatility and effectiveness to the Barca attack," which has led sporting director Deco to start working on a potential deal with Manchester United.
Flick is said to be confident that Rashford would "fit perfectly into his system" and form a strong attacking partnership with players such as Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Meanwhile, Fati is believed to have the chance to revive his career at United, with Old Trafford seen as an ideal place for him to rebuild his confidence and demonstrate his abilities.
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Rashford-Fati swap unlikely to be straightforward
Fati has faced several injury setbacks in recent years, and his inconsistent performances have cast doubt on his future at Barcelona.
The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion in an effort to get his development back on track, but he failed to meet expectations, scoring just four goals and providing one assist in 27 appearances for the Seagulls.
For Blaugrana, the exchange deal could be ideal to strengthen a crucial position, with Rashford's ability to adapt to various attacking roles being one of the reasons Flick believes he would be a perfect fit for his system.
However, while Man United were linked with a move for Fati earlier in his career, negotiations in this situation are not expected to be easy, given the Spaniard's current form and salary expectation.
The Red Devils will resume Premier League duty on Boxing Day when they travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers before ending the year with a home match against Newcastle United on December 30.
Devesh Jaganath
