Juventus 'make Marcus Rashford their top summer target'

Juventus have made Marcus Rashford their top target this summer, according to a report.

The Italian giants are reportedly 'accelerating' plans to sign the Manchester United exile, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa.

The Red Devils are believed to be seeking a fee in the region of £40million for the England international who is also sought after by LaLiga giants Barcelona.

Barcelona are believed to be the 27-year-old's preferred destination.

Nevertheless, according to the Sun, Juventus have entered the race for Rashford and are 'desperate' to acquire his services.

Igor Tudor's side have been heavily linked with another of Man United's wantaway stars, Jadon Sancho. However, his salary demands have made scuppered negotiations to this point.

Unfortunately for Juve, they appear to have chosen the one United player up for sale this summer with an even bigger pay packet than the 25-year-old.

As it turns out, Juve may already be too late to the party, with reports on Friday claiming that Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has called upon his side to snap Rashford up.

Rashford is thought to have caught the eye at Villa last season, where he recaptured stronger form and scored two goals in his 10 Premier League appearances. He has talked openly about his desire to play alongside teenage talent Lamine Yamal.

n the wake of the LaLiga giants missing out on their number-one forward target Nico Williams after the Spain starlet inked a new contract at Athletic Bilbao, interest in Rashford has ramped up.

As per journalist Matteo Moretto, head coach Flick is believed to have asked the club's hierarchy to sanction a loan deal with the option to buy the player next summer.

Barcelona had previously also considered Liverpool star Luis Diaz as an alternative option, but the Reds are believed to have brushed aside an approach.

The deal is expected to progress over the coming weeks as Barcelona and Manchester United thrash out an agreement.

Mail Sport previously reported that the Catalan giants were keen to agree to a loan for Rashford that would in part see his parent club subsidise a portion of his £300,000-a-week wages.

The player's eye-popping salary represents a stumbling block for a number of his suitors, but should Manchester United agree to the deal, it would at least move on a player amid a charged atmosphere.