Reports suggest that Barcelona is eager to secure a permanent deal for Marcus Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United. The forward, now 28, made the move to the Spanish club last July on a season-long loan, with an option to buy for approximately £26 million. This transition followed his exclusion from United’s squad under the management of Ruben Amorim, who has since been dismissed.

During his time with the LaLiga leaders, Rashford has excelled, netting seven goals and providing 11 assists across 26 matches under the guidance of manager Hansi Flick. Barcelona’s current position atop the league, four points clear of Real Madrid, is a testament to the impact Rashford has had. The player himself has expressed contentment with life in Catalonia.

Despite the managerial changes at Manchester United, the club appears to remain resolute in their stance on Rashford’s future. Sources indicate that United had higher expectations for Rashford, one of their top earners, and the change in management has not swayed their perspective on the former academy standout.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is reportedly set on making the loan arrangement permanent. The club’s sporting director, Deco, is believed to have met with Rashford’s agent in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the potential for a long-term stay at Camp Nou.

The outlet also claim Barcelona now wish to make Rashford’s deal permanent.

Barcelona reportedly want to sign Marcus Rashford after a successful loan from Man United

Rashford left United for Barca after falling out of favour with now-sacked boss Ruben Amorim

It has been widely reported that Barcelona’s sporting director and former player Deco has met with Rashford’s agent at the club’s hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to inform him. 

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that improvements to winger’s defence and pressing were required before a permanent deal was sanctioned. It was also claimed that Barca may look to negotiate a reduced fee. 

The Catalan side play El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in Jeddah in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday evening, after the Middle Eastern country’s government paid the Spanish Football Federation an undisclosed sum of money to host it.

Rashford started the semi-final, also held in Jeddah, from the bench. Barcelona ran out 5-0 victors against Athletic Club on Wednesday and are favourites to win the trophy.

The winger told Spanish outlet Sport that he wishes to be part of the club’s future plans to win more trophies in an interview last month.

‘Of course this is what I want,’ Rashford said. ‘But it’s not the reason why I’m pushing and working hard.

‘The reason why is because I want to win. Barcelona is a fantastic club. A club that is known for winning, and it’s this type of pressure – I want to say pressure but it’s not a bad type of pressure.

‘It’s a pressure that you look forward to and a pressure that I want to have whilst I’m playing football. If I’m at a club that doesn’t demand these things then it’s more difficult for me to be motivated. It’s a fantastic environment for me to continue my football journey.’

He added: ‘From the minute that I arrived I felt welcome. For me, the reason why I’m here is to help the team. I’m here to help them win trophies. 

‘Last year they had a fantastic season but – like in life and in football – things move on quickly so we have to repeat the season that we had last season.

‘I’m fully focused on this and the staff, the players know that I’m focused on this so it’s really good.’

Barca sporting director Deco is said to have told Rashford’s agent of the club’s plan to sign him

Rashford broke through from United’s academy into the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2016, and the Wythenshawe native was one of the club’s brightest prospects for the future. 

But a turbulent period at United – including witnessing six different managers in charge – led to inconsistent performances in his later seasons.

After netting 30 times in Erik ten Hag’s debut season, he struggled to maintain his form and the arrival of Amorim marked the beginning of the end for the England international’s time at Old Trafford.

He joined Aston Villa less than three months after the arrival of the Portuguese boss, who said he could not get Rashford to buy into his ideas.

‘What I say is I couldn’t put Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,’ Amorim said at the time.

‘And sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach and the same player with another coach is different. I just wish the best to Rashford.’

Amorim banished Rashford to United’s so-called ‘bomb squad ‘alongside Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia, who all trained away from the first-team.

The Portuguese coach then famously made suggested he would rather select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than the forward.

‘You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace,’ Amorim said just two months after arriving at United. ‘But I would put [Jorge Vital] before a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day.’