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Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup has expressed his eagerness to make a move to Barcelona this summer if the opportunity arises.
With Barcelona unwilling to meet Manchester United's asking price for a permanent deal for loanee Marcus Rashford, several alternative options have been identified as the La Liga club looks to strengthen their attacking options.
O JOGO were the first to report that Barcelona scouts had been keeping tabs on Schjelderup, with MARCA subsequently confirming the Blaugrana's interest in the 21-year-old.
When asked about the scouting reports, Schjelderup told TV2: "I haven't heard anything about that, but it would be absolutely amazing if it were true."
Is Schjelderup the Right Alternative to Rashford?
Consistency has not always been a strong suit for Rashford during his stint at Barcelona—a criticism that has followed the Englishman throughout his career—and president Joan Laporta has publicly indicated the club are unlikely to exercise their purchase option, which stands at approximately $35 million (£26 million).
Nevertheless, there remains an interest in retaining Rashford, who has recorded double figures in both goals and assists across all competitions this season. Barcelona's hesitation is largely driven by financial constraints rather than any dissatisfaction with his on-pitch contributions.
United, however, are not anticipated to lower their demands, already feeling they granted a substantial discount simply to move Rashford off their wage bill. Should the Red Devils stand their ground, Barcelona may be forced to explore other avenues.
It seems Schjelderup has worked his way onto a shortlist of potential alternatives. Long regarded as a future star, the Norwegian international has shown flashes of elite potential on several occasions this season, including a brace against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Much like Rashford, though, consistency remains a question mark for Schjelderup. With 12 goals and 12 assists from 79 appearances for Benfica, there are doubts over whether he is ready for the significant step up to Barcelona just yet.
Schjelderup has two years remaining on his contract, meaning Benfica will look to extract maximum value from the young winger at what represents their last chance to do so under his current deal. While no specific price tag has been mentioned, Benfica, though typically open to selling, are expected to demand a hefty fee — one that could prove prohibitive for Barcelona.
Mallorca's Jan Virgili, a product of Barcelona's youth academy, is thought to be under serious consideration alongside another recognizable name, Ez Abde of Real Betis.