Marcus Rashford deal suddenly in Liverpool's hands

Liverpool suddenly have a decision to make as Marcus Rashford's future lands in their hands. The Manchester United star is linked with an Old Trafford exit.

Marcus Rashford could be on his way out of Manchester United. That's been the story for the last month as the forward doesn't appear to be in Ruben Amorim's long-term plans.

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Of course, it's not an easy one. Rashford is on enormous wages at United, making it complicated for any new club to take him on.

Especially those linked with him. Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan supposedly want to get Rashford this month but none of them have the funds to pay £300k each week.

That's made even more difficult by Rashford's form in recent times. He just hasn't justified his wages at all - if he did, United wouldn't be so eager to move him on.

Barcelona, though, do want to sign him and it appears they may front any race. However, Liverpool actually hold a strong card here.

One that could sway Rashford's future one way or the other.

Liverpool's hand in the Marcus Rashford race

Mundo Deportivo reports, via Sport Witness, that Barcelona do want to sign Rashford but he's far from their first choice. Instead, he's merely the best available target this month.

The report mentions Liverpool's Luis Diaz first and foremost, with Alexander Isak and Rafael Leao also on their shortlist. However, none of that trio would be able to move in January.

In fact, it mentions that those deals are 'impossible' right now. Rashford is very much seen as below them in the pecking order - but if he's the best Barcelona can do, they'll go for him.

Though, the implication here is that Liverpool hold some power. If they make Diaz available, after all, Barcelona would abandon their Rashford pursuit for the Colombian.

And it's not impossible that Liverpool do that. Diaz rejected a new contract with the Reds recently, with the winger still on his initial deal signed three years ago.

The club will look to sell him if there's no new contract and that would likely occur this year. Liverpool wouldn't want him to run down his deal, after all (surely, anyway. We can't be going through all this again).

Even just a suggestion that Diaz could be sold in the summer would likely make Barcelona's Rashford deal a temporary one. Let alone if there's any scope for a late January deal.

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