Barca 'look to sell Ferran Torres in bid to seal Rashford move'

Barcelona are believed to be planning to boost their coffers with player sales over the summer in a bid to secure Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis this season.

The Manchester United loanee moved to Catalonia over the summer and has enjoyed a promising return to form that has seen him re-find favour within Thomas Tuchel's England set-up.

Daily Mail Sport reported last week that the Blaugrana were keen to find a way to hold onto the player, at least for another season, by requesting a second loan deal for the 2026-27 season.

But as per ESPN, Man United remain committed to saying goodbye to Rashford either permanently, or not at all, with his boyhood club valuing him at £26million.

With a view to reshaping their attack over the summer - and keeping hold of the England international - Barcelona are now considering placing Ferran Torres on the market this summer.

The 26-year-old forward joined the Catalan giants in 2022 after two seasons at Manchester City, but is out of contract in 2027, and Barcelona are thought to be wary about potentially letting him go for nothing.

Barcelona are thought to be keen to extend veteran striker Robert Lewandowski's terms however, ahead of the Poland international's deal running out this summer.

As well as Rashford, Barcelona are thought to be eyeing a move for a fresher No 9 to take over from Lewandowski, with Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez thought to be a major target.

Rashford's improving form at the Camp Nou has seen him net 10 and assist a further 13 in his 39 appearances across all competitions.

But the 28-year-old remains some way off the level of his competition on either wing under Hansi Flick, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Boosting Rashford's chances of staying at his new club was the re-election of Joan Laporta as club president on Sunday.

Laporta is a keen backer of Flick in the dugout, who in turn is keen for Rashford to stay.

At the end of last year, Rashford admitted that he was keen to stay put in his 'happy place' in Barcelona, telling Spanish outlet Sport: 'Of course this is what I want, but it’s not the reason why I’m pushing and working hard.

‘The reason why is because I want to win. Barcelona is a fantastic club. A club that is known for winning, and it’s this type of pressure - I want to say pressure but it’s not a bad type of pressure.

‘It’s a pressure that you look forward to and a pressure that I want to have whilst I’m playing football. If I’m at a club that doesn’t demand these things then it’s more difficult for me to be motivated. It’s a fantastic environment for me to continue my football journey.’

Asked about how he had enjoyed settling into life in Barcelona, Rashford said: ‘From the minute that I arrived I felt welcome. For me, the reason why I’m here is to help the team. I’m here to help them win trophies.

‘Last year they had a fantastic season but – like in life and in football – things move on quickly so we have to repeat the season that we had last season.

‘I’m fully focused on this and the staff, the players know that I’m focused on this so it’s really good.’