BARCELONA face a race against time to complete a deal for Marcus Rashford, while Monaco wait in the wings.
The 27-year-old Manchester United forward is likely to leave Old Trafford before the end of the January transfer window.
Boss Ruben Amorim has frozen Rashford and not picked him in the Red Devils' last nine games.
The 60-cap England international has made just one appearance on the bench in that time, appearing as an unused substitute for the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle earlier this month.
Rashford has attracted interest from the likes of AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham.
But according to Spanish newspaper Sport, Barcelona are at the top of the list.
They claim Rashford is their “priority” target and that he has given the green light for a move to Catalonia.
However, before Barca can complete a deal, he must free up space for Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary.
And if they don't do that in time, they will be defeated right down to the attacker's signature.
SunSport exclusively announced last night that Monaco are also interested in Rashford.
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The Ligue 1 side have deep pockets and would be willing to cover most, if not all, of Rashford's wages.
Rashford's brother and agent Dwaine Maynard is keen for the Man Utd star to move to Barcelona.
But for that transfer to go through, cash-strapped Barca would have to thrash members of Hansi Flick's existing squad before the deadline, given the club's staggering £850million debts.
Defender Eric Garcia could leave, with former loan club Girona linked with a £5.9million move.
Ansu Fati, meanwhile, has not played in LaLiga since November and has started just once all season.
Club chiefs are said to be keen to sell the winger, although Fati is said to be reluctant to leave.
Rashford is understood to have carried out extra training and has reiterated his desire to play against Rangers on Thursday evening if selected.
'IT'S HIS CHOICE'
After Sunday's 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, boss Amorim was asked if he felt “disappointed or let down” because Rashford was not there to “help the team”.
After initially saying “no”, the Portuguese was put under further pressure as he had previously stated that Rashford was being left out for training reasons.
Amorim, 39, clapped and took a deep breath before replying: “Guys. It's his choice [not to play].
“I don't want to focus on this bad moment because in the games we have lost, Rashford is not there.
“I don't want to blame this moment on Rashford.
“Rashford is out at the moment because he is not playing.
“Whatever happens, I'm not going to take out a player who I don't think is the best for the team.”
Rashford's last appearance was on December 12 against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
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