It's true the original rashford to Barca rumours started in 2017 by Don balon who mentioned a lot of up and coming youngsters to replace Suarez. Hardly groundbreaking. Mention 10 players and if Barca sign one then, "we're in the know."
The rumours about Rashford to Barca this time originated with the daily mirror last year and everyone else jumped on the bandwagon. Spanish papers included. Is it impossible to believe newspapers English or Spanish then quote "club sources" in an effort to sell newspapers?
It's perfectly plausible that Barca were in for Rashford but if we go down that route of thinking then it's also perfectly plausible for Rashfords agent leaking news to the mirror about interest from Barca and then letting everything snowball. And don't tell me agents wouldn't sink so low as to go down that route.
You seem 100% certain that Barca were in for Rashford. That's fair enough. Myself personally have a more open mind and until clubs confirm or deny transfer news I don't believe a word the press say. Makes life more bearable