- Manchester United star Rashford has been on loan at Barcelona
- The English forward wants to secure permanent move
- Work to do to find agreement over transfer
Barcelona have not yet made a final decision on signing Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Catalan club will wait and assess the level that the player finishes the current season on. The Barcelona camp have been impressed by the English forward generally, but are relaxed about making a definitive decision.
Rashford has 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 matches across all competitions for the La Liga side so far this season.
There is a £26m buy option attached to the current loan deal between the two clubs. In today’s market, securing a 28-year-old forward with proven Premier League and Champions League experience for that price is considered a bargain. The issue is not the transfer fee, but rather the salary he will command in a permanent contract.
Rashford has played himself back into the England squad under Thomas Tuchel, so a return to United would risk that after the 2026 World Cup. The upcoming international friendlies will be the best indicator of whether Rashford will be on the plane to the United States.
Rashford enjoying Spain life
Earlier in the season, The Telegraph reported that Marcus Rashford is enjoying life in Barcelona. He also said as much when appearing on Gary Lineker’s The Rest Is Football podcast last year.
He also spoke to BBC Sport in December, saying: “To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I’m looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win.”
However, interim manager Michael Carrick would like to bring him back to Old Trafford given the chance. Despite the upturn in United’s fortunes, there is uncertainty around whether Carrick will be appointed the permanent manager.
Barcelona have to weigh the option of adding Rashford to their wage bill and navigating La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. Hansi Flick’s side have encountered trouble registering star players before the start of the season on multiple occasions. Rashford himself had an anxious wait for his La Liga debut due to the strict rules.
His form has dipped in 2026 despite a hot end to 2025. In recent weeks, he has been in and out of the team – only starting 3 La Liga matches in 2026.
Laporta election win could seal the deal
Earlier this week, Joan Laporta won the presidential elections for a further term at the helm of Blaugrana. He was the catalyst in bringing Rashford to the club last summer. Barcelona sporting director Deco told RAC1 that they will try their best to sign the Manchester United man, if possible:
“We will try – in Barca’s interest – to ensure that Marcus Rashford can continue with us beyond this season.
“Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals. We’re happy.”
Either way, there won’t be a shortage of clubs interested in the player even if Barcelona don’t sign the player. If staying in Spain remains an incentive, clubs like Atletico Madrid or a return to a Champions League-calibre club could be his next destination.
