Manchester United are making good progress in contract extension talks with Marcus Rashford, PA understands.
The 21-year-old has established himself as an important player at Old Trafford since bursting onto the scene in a Europa League tie against FC Midtjylland in February 2016.
Rashford's current deal expires at the end of the 2019-20 season, although United would almost certainly take up the option to extend it by a further year.
Marcus Rashford closing in on a new & improved deal at #MUFC. Good progress has been in recent contract talks — Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) June 29, 2019
However, PA understands that the forward is close to signing a new and improved contract to stay at the club long-term.
It is understood that Barcelona were among the clubs eyeing a move for the England international, who has scored 45 goals in 170 appearances for his boyhood club.
Ander Herrera left on a free transfer this summer at the end of his contract, while captain Antonio Valencia was among those released at the end of their deals.
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Simon Peach, PA Chief Football Writer');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '030bfb8c-260e-447d-b267-8dce81c91f34');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Manchester United confident of new Rashford deal'});
