Marcus Rashford looks to have played his last game for Manchester United as Barcelona have “made progress” over signing the English forward permanently. The 28-year-old has spent the season on loan at Camp Nou and revived his career with the Catalans.
Barca signed Rashford on loan last summer with an option to buy for £26.9 million (€30m). He has impressed under Hansi Flicks, posting 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 games across competitions.
United’s sacking of Ruben Amorim hasn’t changed the situation nor the player’s desire to leave Old Trafford permanently. He is eager to join the Blaugrana permanently, and a report from The Athletic suggests he will get his wish.
Rashford set for permanent exit
Rashford’s representatives are thought to have held “positive talks” with Barca sporting director Deco. They are confident that a permanent transfer will take place this summer.
It’s noted that the deal is only at a verbal stage, and nothing has been agreed upon yet. There are other factors that could prove a stumbling block, including the La Liga club’s upcoming presidential elections.
Barca have been dealing with well-documented financial issues in recent years, and their salary cap will also be taken into account. The United loanee will also need to prove his worth in the final stretch of the season.
What is clear is that the Catalans intend to take up the buy option and want to do so by paying in three instalments. They will pay £8.8m (€10m) across three years.
Rashford was one of United’s highest earners when he left for Barca, earning a purported £325,000 per week. A multi-year contract is proposed for the 28-year-old because he turns 30 in October 2027.
The English attacker hasn’t become an undisputed starter in Flick’s team, but he has been one of their key men. He won his first trophy with the Spaniards when they prevailed over Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final in January.
Barca sit top of La Liga, a point clear of second-placed Madrid with 13 games remaining. They trail Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals and face Newcastle United in the Champions League Round of 16.
Man United stuck to their guns
The buy option United agreed with Barca to include in its loan deal was already up for debate. Not because it gave the La Liga heavyweights the chance to sign him permanently, but the fee itself.
The positive aspect of his expected permanent switch to Camp Nou is that INEOS didn’t enter discussions over possibly lowering the fee. Reports claimed that Barca were attempting to negotiate a price decrease, but the Premier League giants look to have stood firm.
Rashford will leave Old Trafford in disarray, and it’s a bitter end for a player who rose through the youth ranks before becoming a superstar at the Theatre of Dreams. He needed out, and the club needed to rid itself of his expensive wages.
That said, it’s a shame that the one who triggered his departure was Amorim, who didn’t allow for an amicable separation. Rashford made 426 appearances for the Reds, scoring 138 goals and providing 79 assists.
