Marcus Rashford could be sent BACK to Man United

Marcus Rashford could return to Manchester United at the end of his loan, with the Spanish side 'interested in Pedro Neto' as an alternative.

Rashford, 28, has impressed in Spain and could be signed permanently for £26million this summer.

But the club are weighing up whether that would be the right move and Neto has emerged as a target after receiving 'very positive technical reports', according to Mundo Deportivo.

Neto joined the Blues from Wolves in 2024 for £54m but it remains to be seen whether they would be interested in selling - or at what cost.

Neto, 26, has been one of the more consistent performers for the Stamford Bridge club and the report notes his agent, Jorge Mendes, has a positive relationship with Barcelona.

The Portuguese star can play on both wings and his versatility also appeals to Hansi Flick.

Meanwhile, Rashford, who fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim and wanted a fresh start, has settled into his new life and is keen to stay.

As Daily Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler reported earlier this month, the Englishman's future is set to become more clear after the club's presidential elections.

Barca president Joan Laporta is understood to want to sign him permanently if he stays in power on March 15.

United have already made it clear that they will not renegotiate Rashford’s £26m transfer fee with Barcelona, who are paying his £315,000-a-week wages this season.

Laporta is favourite to win the election, but it’s unclear how Rashford’s situation would be impacted if the 63-year-old’s main challenger Victor Font – who has the backing of former Barca star and manager Xavi – beats him.

The other two candidates are Marc Ciria and Xavier Vilajoana, and there has been talk of Laporta’s three rivals joining together to form a coalition.

If Rashford’s move to Barca falls through, United would have a problem reintegrating such a high-earner with the club committed to driving down the wage bill as Casemiro and Jadon Sancho prepare to leave in the summer.

Font has earmarked Erling Haaland as a target, should he triumph in the election.

Haaland is one of the best centre-forwards in the world,' said Font, a Spanish businessman. 'It is not possible to sign him in the short-term because he renewed last year, but personally I am convinced that these long contracts are not possible to be fulfilled and this is where we must be attentive to the situation of a player who loves Spain, who when he came here made statements about how amazed he was about Camp Nou.

'Madrid has also wanted him, so making a movement that protects us and gives us this option, I am convinced that it can happen.'

But earlier this week, Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta poured cold water on a potential transfer, telling El Chiringuito TV: 'We have a lot of respect and admiration for Barcelona, but there hasn’t been any contact whatsoever – with Erling Haaland or with Barcelona’s management, regarding potential transfer targets.

'Also, because the player renewed his contract a few months ago, he’s very happy at Manchester City.

'Everything is going very well for him and we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer when everything is so good at City.'