Barcelona consider dumping Rashford for Benfica's Norway starlet

Barcelona consider dumping Rashford for Benfica's Norway starlet

Barcelona are ready to step up plans for Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup.

Barca see the Norway international as an alternative to on-loan Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford.

Benfica rates the 21-year-old at €20m - €10m less than Rashford's current permanent option.

Barca chief Deco is looking at different candidates as cover for Raphinha. The first candidate is Rashford, but the €30m buy option agreed between Bar7a and United last summer is now considered too high. For their part, United is not inclined to negotiate. At least, not for the time being.

Given this situation, Barcelona has set its transfer machine in motion, and one of the names favoured by both the management and the players is Schjelderup. He has a very different profile from Rashford, as he is only 21 years old and represents an even greater investment in the future.

Schjelderup, who also plays as an inside forward and centre-forward, does not have the experience of the England international, although he has already played 79 matches for Benfica, in which he has scored 12 goals and provided 12 assists.