Man United could give Barcelona unexpected cash injection to secure Marcus Rashford transfer

Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon forward Francisco Trincao as they eye another rebuild this summer.

Trincao has looked impressive in Portugal's Primeira Liga, scoring 32 goals in 143 appearances. The winger looks like a player reborn from his struggles on loan at Wolves from Barcelona.

And it could be a lucrative summer for Barca. Recent reports from Catalan news organisation Sport claim that the La Liga giants will earn 50 per cent of Trincao's future transfer fee. It has recently been claimed that Trincao is valued at £30million by Sporting, meaning that Barcelona would receive a tidy £15m fee.

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It may seem like a relatively low amount, but Barca's financial struggles in recent years will mean they need all the help they can get. The Covid pandemic and stadium renovations have seen board members cough up millions to keep the club within the Spanish top-flight's financial fair play rules.

It's why any move for wantaway United star Marcus Rashford looked so unlikely in January, despite the Manchester Evening News reporting that he would have preferred a move to the Nou Camp over Aston Villa. Rashford has gone on to enjoy an uplift in form at Villa Park, and the Birmingham-based club have the option to make their loan deal for the Reds' academy graduate permanent this summer.

But if, for whatever reason, a move to Unai Emery's team does not occur, United may inadvertently end up helping to fund his move to Barcelona if they sign Trincao. It's something which may