Lamine Yamal was denied his dream transfer and ended up with Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford's signing for Barcelona means Lamine Yamal will not have the chance to play with his dream team-mate. The 27-year-old ended a summer of speculation over his future this week by signing on a season-long loan for the Catalan giants, despite struggling for form in the last two years.

Since 2023, Rashford has scored just 19 times in all competitions for Manchester United and Aston Villa. He spent time on loan under Unai Emery in the second half of last season, but they declined to make his move permanent. However, he's now sealed a move for Barca after their pursuit of Athletic Club star Nico Williams fell through.

Williams, 23, was first linked with a move to the Nou Camp after starring in Spain's Euro 2024 win last summer. A transfer never materialised 12 months ago, but appeared set to go through this summer after Barca agreed in principle to pay his £52million release clause.

The two parties even agreed on personal terms, and the news seemingly delighted Yamal. He'd previously spoken of his desire to play with his 'brother' at club level as well as international level.

However, according to the Daily Mail, sporting director Deco led club chiefs in shutting down the move. Williams was said to be demanding a starting berth and assurances that he would be registered in time for the new season.

He also reportedly wanted a clause that allowed him to leave for free if he encountered problems in Barcelona. As a result, Deco baulked at a deal in favour of signing Rashford, and Williams duly signed a new 10-year deal at Athletic, with a new heightened release clause.

As a result, teenage sensation Yamal has now been denied his dream deal. The 2024 Golden Boy winner, who has inherited the No.10 shirt for next season, is yet to comment publicly on the signing of Rashford but will hope to help form a deadly attack alongside him.

The England international will take No.14. He's said to have taken a large pay cut to seal his move, having previously been on wages of around 325,000-a-week at Old Trafford.