Man Utd eye Marcus Rashford transfer replacement with Barcelona incentive

Manchester United's latest transfer pursuit could inadvertently pave the way for Barcelona to secure Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis this summer.

The 28-year-old moved to the Catalan club on a season-long loan deal after being deemed surplus to requirements at United. Rashford had previously endured a brief loan stint at Aston Villa last term amid mounting friction with new boss Ruben Amorim.

With the January transfer window approaching in under two months, clubs are already eyeing potential signings – and United have emerged as active participants. Amorim's squad are understood to be pursuing a fresh striker option, with Brazilian talent Vitor Roque reportedly catching their attention after being 'reborn' in his homeland.

Palmeiras secured Roque's services from Barcelona in February for approximately £22million, establishing a new record as South America's most costly transfer.

The forward endured a difficult spell at Barcelona, managing merely two goals across 16 outings, yet his fortunes transformed dramatically following his Palmeiras switch.

He has swiftly rejuvenated his prospects, bagging 17 strikes and contributing five assists during his debut campaign at the club.

The striker now harbours ambitions of earning a place in Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil setup for next year's World Cup.

Should United genuinely pursue Roque, they may need to exercise patience until summer, given the youngster's desire to remain in Brazil through June.

Beyond that point, Spanish publication Sport suggests he 'would be open to a new adventure.'

A crucial element in any potential deal between United and Roque would be Barcelona's sell-on clause, rumoured to be 20%. This means if Amorim's team were to sign Roque for £50m, Barcelona would pocket £10m from the sale.

Such a financial boost could then aid the La Liga titans in securing a permanent move for Rashford. Barcelona have an option-to-buy clause worth £28m, although they are not compelled to trigger it.

A new striker would also provide competition for Benjamin Sesko, who has found it challenging to make a significant impact in the Premier League so far, netting just twice in his first 11 games.

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