Marcus Rashford Set for Barcelona Stay as Fabrizio Romano Reveals Permanent Transfer Talks with Man Utd
Fabrizio Romano has provided further insight into whether Barcelona will extend Marcus Rashford’s loan period, since the player is “not even thinking” about rejoining Manchester United.
At the end of 2024, as his future at Manchester United was becoming more and more uncertain, Rashford set his sights on joining Barcelona. In the 2025 winter transfer window, Barca expressed interest in acquiring the winger on loan.
However, the Spanish side was unable to make the trade work since Ansu Fati could not be moved.
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Under Unai Emery, Rashford excelled and would sign a six-month loan to Aston Villa. But when Villa decided not to exercise their £40 million purchase option, in part because they would not be playing in the Champions League, Rashford once again turned his attention to Barcelona.
His wish was granted on the second attempt, and he has a €30 million or £26 million buyout option in his loan agreement. Emphasising that it is a choice rather than a requirement is crucial.
Therefore, it is completely up to Barcelona to decide whether to make the permanent deal, but according to transfer guru Romano, Rashford and the team are now on the same page.
Romano started his YouTube channel by saying, “They’re very happy with Rashford, who scored against Sevilla.” Rashford scored again, but Barcelona was a complete failure and lost 4-1.
He has contributed eight goals (three goals and five assists) in his last seven games. Rashford is making a significant impact and doing well, but the new chapter at Barcelona is only two months old.
“Rashford is really content with his circumstances, including the city, the league, the team, the manager, and his teammates. Rashford adores his new Barcelona life.
He is totally focused on Barcelona; he isn’t even considering returning to Manchester United after the loan, though he might play there again in the future. Barcelona is the whole focus.
“With Marcus Rashford’s behaviour, not just his performances, I can tell you the feeling internally at Barcelona is very positive,” Romano continued when discussing Barcelona’s plans.
In addition to the impressive stats, he is acting in a very serious, professional, and hard-training manner.
“Barca supporters can sense Rashford’s sincere desire to be successful at Barcelona. They’re really content with one another, so I believe there’s a big chance Barcelona and Rashford will stay together in the future.
There has been speculation that PSG would be prepared to pay more than Barcelona for Rashford at the end of the current campaign, though not from reliable sources.
They are in charge, though, because Barca negotiated the purchase option. If it is exercised and personal conditions are reached, Manchester United will only get €30 million or £26 million.
Many will believe that Manchester United is selling cheaply if Rashford leaves, given that is far less than the £40 million Villa’s option to purchase was placed at.
Why Rashford’s Barcelona Revival Could Force Manchester United Into a Difficult Decision
What makes this situation quietly delicate is how the sporting and financial threads are tangled together.
On the pitch, Rashford’s performance has done the talking, the kind of form that turns a loan into a real summer conversation rather than an afterthought.
He isn’t just scoring; he’s fit. At Barcelona he’s been handed clear duties, a role that lets him run in behind and finish chances rather than drift into the uncertain, like channels he suffered through at times last season at United.
That tactical clarity matters because it affects value, a forward who looks settled in a system becomes far harder to bench, and far more attractive to buyers.
Off the pitch, the numbers make this a chess game. €30 million is a bargain for a player who can rack up double-digit goal contributions in a half-season on form.
For Manchester United it’s a tricky pill. Accepting the clause would close a chapter cleanly and free wages and planning space, but it risks the PR hit of selling a homegrown star at a perceived cut-price. United’s negotiating leverage depends on Barcelona’s appetite and finances.
Barca have been shrewd in structuring deals in recent windows, they know how to stretch payments and rely on add-ons so exercising the option might come with strings attached, or with a willingness to reopen talks on terms favourable to both sides.
Then there’s the wild card: interest from elsewhere. If richer clubs sniff opportunity, the market could spike, but that only helps United if Barca are willing to enter a bidding war rather than lean on their agreed option.
Rashford’s own stance changes the dynamic too. He’s reportedly settled and focused on Barcelona life; a player pushing to stay makes the deal smoother and quieter.
Clubs prefer transactions handled with the player’s buy-in; it reduces disruption and increases the odds of a successful long-term move.
For Barcelona, keeping Rashford buys immediate quality and helps with rotation across a packed calendar. But For United, the calculus is broader, do they cash in and reinvest, or do they bet on a returning Rashford who might command more in future windows? Neither choice is cost-free.
The likely middle path is pragmatic: Barcelona will test their option, try to negotiate sensible add-ons, and Manchester United will evaluate how the incoming money fits their rebuild.
In the end, this won’t be decided purely on goals and headlines but on timing, patience and a few quiet phone calls that decide whether a loan becomes a permanent unpicking of one club’s problem and another’s solution.
