The Gunners are eager to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Marcus Rashford could be stymieing a prospective transfer between Arsenal and Barcelona.

Barcelona is keeping a close check on Rashford’s position, according to Spanish publication EFE, and the Catalan club is confident in their ability to entice him to the Camp Nou.

Aubameyang, who is presently surplus to requirements due to a disciplinary transgression, has also been linked with a move to La Liga.

Mikel Arteta was also rumored to be interested in Mason Greenwood, but Rashford’s move to Barcelona would effectively scupper that deal.

Rashford has had a terrible season at United so far, missing the first two months of the season due to shoulder surgery, and his form has deteriorated since his comeback.

The 24-year-contract old’s at Old Trafford runs until 2023, with a one-year extension option, but sources in Spain believe he might be enticed away from the club, with Barcelona likely to be the destination, given the club’s ongoing striker dilemma following Sergio Aguero’s retirement decision.

However, it appeared that the Catalan club had chosen Aubameyang as Aguero’s replacement, as the striker was left out of Arsenal’s last three matchday squads, with his future under Arteta looking bleak, as it was also announced that the striker would not return to first-team training until after the African Cup of Nations in February.

According to El Nacional, Xavi is interested in bringing Arsenal’s former captain to the Camp Nou in order to remedy the club’s striking problems.

The Arsenal camp, as well as Aubameyang’s squad, will be disappointed by these developments regarding Rashford’s move to the La Liga side, as a move to Barcelona seemed to be the most favourable outcome.

Other clubs’ options for the 32-year-old are starting to dwindle, which will only exacerbate tensions between the club and the player. However, with the transfer window approaching, both parties will have a great opportunity to make a rational decision.