Marcus Rashford(Image: Getty Images)Marcus Rashford is said to still have his heart set on joining Barcelona – even though the Spanish giants have insisted they weren’t desperate to sign him in the transfer window.

Rashford, 27, does not appear to have any sort of future at Manchester United after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim and agreed to sign on loan for Villa this month.

It’s thought that the 60-cap England star will weigh up his options again once his temporary spell at Villa Park is done. And while it remains to be seen if Villa will pull the trigger on a permanent move, Rashford seemingly still has one eye on a switch abroad.

Talks between the player’s representatives and Barcelona were held in January – and Rashford is hopeful they will rekindle their interest at the end of the season.

A source told The Sun: “Marcus is confident that if he rediscovers his form at Villa Park and starts bagging goals, Barcelona will revive their interest, especially as a transfer price has been established.

“It’s a huge incentive for him, which is good news for Villa. Now he just needs to get playing and start scoring.”

Intriguingly, Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, said of the club’s interest in Rashford earlier this week: “It’s true there was talk of Rashford – but we weren’t desperately looking for a player either.”

While a move to the Nou Camp didn’t materialise mid-season, Rashford has looked promising in his two cameo appearances since joining Villa, who negotiated a £40million purchase option into the loan deal they agreed with United earlier this month.

Rashford and the club’s other late signing in the window, Marco Asensio, were singled out for praise by Unai Emery during the Spaniard’s post-match interview with Match of the Day for helping Villa get a result against Ipswich, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half when former Manchester United defender, Axel Tuanzebe, saw red.

“Good impact and keep going now, try to fit in as best as possible,” Emery said of the on loan duo. “We are playing against Liverpool here. We lost some opportunities but of course we have to be consistent and hope we can react.”