Barcelona have opted against making Marcus Rashford’s move permanent and are expected to send the forward back to Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.
The Catalan club have until Monday to activate an option to sign Rashford for a fixed £26million fee, as outlined in the terms of his season-long loan at the Nou Camp. Even if that deadline passes, the two clubs could still attempt to negotiate a fresh agreement later on.
So far, United are understood to have held firm over the asking price, while Barcelona have reportedly been willing to pay only around half of the agreed amount. The Spanish side have already committed £70million to bring in Rashford’s England team-mate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.
Spanish reports on Monday said Barca have now chosen not to move forward with a deal, and are content for Rashford to return to Old Trafford after the World Cup.
Marcus Rashford, pictured posing for England this week, is not returning to Barcelona
The forward was keen on staying with the Catalan club beyond this summer but the feeling wasn’t mutual
According to Marca, Barcelona favoured Gordon over Rashford because of the winger’s defensive contribution — an area viewed as a weakness in Rashford’s game — as well as the three-year age difference between the two players.
Sources at Manchester United, however, maintain that Barcelona have not officially informed them of any decision to walk away, and the Monday purchase clause is still active.
But Rashford – who contributed 14 goals and 14 assists in just 26 starts as Hansi Flick’s side won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup this season – removed any references to Barcelona from his social media bios on Instagram and X shortly after news broke regarding his future.
The Spanish champions have also made an offer to sign Bernardo Silva on a free transfer from Manchester City, and are ready to pay Atletico Madrid in excess of £100million for Julian Alvarez to replace Robert Lewandowski at centre-forward.
Barca have a number of other attacking options including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez.
Rashford would prefer to return to the Nou Camp, but United will be free to do business with other clubs after Monday’s deadline and will be hoping the player has a good World Cup with England to boost his value.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa – who had Rashford on loan for the second half of last season – are believed to have an interest in bringing him back to the Premier League.
Real Madrid, who are soon to be managed by former United boss Jose Mourinho, Bayern Munich and Chelsea may emerge as other options.
Rashford’s wages and age – he will turn 29 in October – are not in his favour.
He might have to take a pay-cut or negotiate a pay-off with United to secure a permanent move away from Old Trafford, having last played for his boyhood club in December 2024.
If the Red Devils cannot find Rashford a new club before he is due to start pre-season training after the World Cup, then he will return to Carrington.
Rashford was quick to remove any reference to Barcelona from his social media bios
Rashford scored 14 goals and added 14 assists as Barcelona won La Liga and the Super Cup
Last summer, the forward was part of a ‘bomb squad’ that also included Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, although it’s unclear how United would handle the situation again.
It would appear to be in the best interests of both parties to avoid that scenario even though, ironically, United are in the market for a left winger.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana finds himself in a similar position after a season on loan at Trabzonspor which ended with him helping the club to win the Turkish Cup.
The Cameroonian has no future at United after being replaced by Senne Lammens, who was voted as the Premier League’s signing of the season, but is ready to return for pre-season next month if his future is unresolved.
Trabzonspor would like to keep him and another loan is a possibility. United would prefer a sale but are unlikely to get any more than half of the £47.2million they paid Inter Milan for the goalkeeper after quoting Monaco £30million for him last summer.
