Rashford takes step closer to dream move away from Man Utd as green light given

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has given his approval to the possibility of signing Marcus Rashford this month.

The Catalan club are monitoring the situation at Old Trafford, and the forward's representatives are understood to have met Barca officials as they attempt to facilitate a move for their client. Rashford revealed his desire to leave Manchester United in December.

The 27-year-old has not featured for the Red Devils in a month with Ruben Amorim failing to select Rashford for his matchday squad in all but one of the last seven fixtures. The academy product's situation has sparked interest from the likes of AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.

Sport reports Flick appreciates Rashford's versatility and sees him as a player that can provide some rotation for Robert Lewandowski, having previously wanted to sign him while in charge of Bayern Munich. It is said there is not total consensus over the England international within the Catalan club however.

Rashford is also claimed to prefer a move to Barcelona. The forward has provided a deadline of January 15 for the LaLiga giants to make a decision over a move.

Barca could yet face competition from AC Milan. The Serie A side have been in talks with United over the prospect of a loan move.

Milan would like to agree a loan deal for Rashford that contains an option to buy the player rather than obligation, per reports in Italy. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now an advisor for the Italians, suggested the club would 'see if we can talk to him'.

Amorim has admitted he is uncertain whether Rashford has already made his last appearance for the Red Devils. "I don’t know," said the head coach

"I don’t know, we’ll see. He is a player for Manchester United. We’ll see.

"He has to work. He has to represent this club, and he loves this club, but I have to make choices. [I] already spoke about how I make the choices. So it is what it is.

"So let’s continue. Let’s see the next game. And like I said, I have to make a selection."

Rashford's £325,000-per-week salary will ensure any move away from Manchester does not come cheap. It has been said that Barcelona would need to find £5.5million to secure a deal.