Barcelona Make Bold Demand to Marcus Rashford Before Finalising Permanent Move from Manchester United
Since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United, Marcus Rashford has had an incredible start to his career, reviving his form with 12 goal contributions in just 13 games.
The 28-year-old has publicly stated that he wants the transfer to be permanent, but there are rumours that the Catalan powerhouses may put pressure on Rashford to finalise the deal.
After joining Barcelona on summer loan from Manchester United, Rashford’s career has taken off in spectacular fashion.
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The winger has found his spark again under Hansi Flick after years of inconsistent play with the Premier League underdogs.
In both his Champions League brace against Olympiacos and El Clasico, where he set up Fermin Lopez’s goal, he demonstrated his lightning-fast pace, enhanced decision-making, and revitalised confidence.
Raphinha’s injury issues have contributed to Rashford’s comeback, making him the team’s starting left winger.
In Flick’s flowing offensive system, he has immediately connected with players like Ferran Torres and Lopez, making the job his own.
Barcelona officials have already begun negotiations to activate the option-to-buy clause in the Englishman’s loan agreement with Manchester United, indicating that his turnaround has not gone unnoticed.
After a tumultuous year at Old Trafford, where a falling out with Ruben Amorim resulted in his exile, his story represents a surprising turn of events.
Rashford’s exit seemed inevitable due to his brief loan at Aston Villa and his public criticism of the club’s erratic trajectory and lack of leadership.
He now appears to be every bit the player who once terrorised Premier League defences in a more serene setting, surrounded by support from both supporters and coaching staff.
Barcelona’s search of a long-term agreement for Rashford takes place in the midst of continuous financial difficulties that continue to influence their transfer strategy.
The club’s stringent salary cap regulations mean that a long-term transfer depends on the forward agreeing to a significant pay cut, even though they respect his effect.
At Manchester United, Rashford presently makes almost £300,000 a week, far more than Barcelona can afford given La Liga’s financial restrictions.
Rashford’s predicament is viewed as a balancing act by the Catalan giants, who have spent the past several seasons reworking contracts and cutting their pay expenditure.
According to club sources who spoke with SPORT, long-term affordability is the problem rather than the transfer cost, which is estimated to be about £30 million.
To spread the expense, Barcelona’s athletic department is eager to offer Rashford a multi-year contract, but doing so would necessitate his complete agreement on pay modifications.
After a disastrous conclusion to his Manchester United career, Rashford’s comeback has been a tale of atonement. Following a 30-goal season in 2022–2023, he struggled in 2024–2025, scoring just 24 goals in 67 games before going into exile.
Before being sent out on loan, his confidence was damaged by a tense relationship with Amorim, frequent benchings, and his eventual banishment from first-team training.
Rashford has made subtle references to his difficulties at Old Trafford in interviews since moving to Spain, citing “an inconsistent environment” and a lack of “long-term direction” at the team.
In contrast, his time at Barcelona has been marked by consistency, tactical clarity, and the trust of a manager who recognises his abilities.
Rashford claims he “hadn’t felt in a long time” because of the flexibility Flick’s approach has given him to cut inside and combine creatively.
He appeal in international markets and his European form, which includes a Champions League brace against Olympiacos, make him an attractive long-term investment. Barcelona is aware of his commercial and sporting potential.
Rashford is still focused on remaining at Camp Nou, despite reports from Spanish media that a number of Premier League teams have already made preliminary queries.
In the upcoming months, negotiations between Barcelona and Manchester United are anticipated to pick up steam, with the Spanish team hoping to complete the transfer before the season ends.
The crucial choice for Rashford will be whether or not he is willing to accept a pay reduction, which he seems willing to do in exchange for stability and a prominent position at one of the major clubs in Europe.
