Manchester United won’t be letting Marcus Rashford leave on the cheap to secure a permanent move to Barcelona in the summer.
The Manchester United loanee is currently out injured, but his temporary spell at Barcelona has been positive thus far.
Marcus Rashford fell out of favour at Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim became head coach in November 2024. He was initially sent on loan to Aston Villa before another temporary deal saw him join Barcelona for the 2025/26 campaign.
The loan deal includes a £26 million option to make the move permanent at the end of the season, but Barcelona have yet to announce whether they will activate such a clause.
Are you worried Barcelona won’t sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
How does that change Man Utd's transfer plans?
United are refusing to lower their Rashford demands, despite Barcelona boldly seeking a discount to get the deal across the line.
Since joining Barcelona on loan, Rashford has scored 10 goals and registered 13 assists in 34 appearances. Hansi Flick is happy with the England international’s contributions, although he hasn’t cemented a place in the starting line-up due to Barcelona’s options in attack.
Barcelona are still in the hunt for trophies, so Rashford will be eager to return from injury to help Flick’s side achieve its objectives.
Man Utd cannot give in to Barcelona’s discount request
The transfer fee agreed between United and Barcelona last summer is already reasonable.
Rashford is a 28-year-old international, and there will be plenty of potential suitors waiting in line for his signature if Barcelona were to walk away from a deal.
United’s refusal to lower the fee for Rashford sets a strong precedent because it would likely lead to Napoli making the same deposit request for Rasmus Hojlund.
The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals and registered four assists in 32 matches for Napoli this season, but there are no guarantees over a summer move with the Serie A champions yet to secure Champions League football for next season.
Opting to sell Rashford for less than £26m would affect other future deals too.
Andre Onana is on loan at Trabzonspor, but he’s another player unlikely to have a future at Old Trafford, meaning United will be looking to recoup some of the £47.2m they paid for him in 2023.
Ineos are trying to change United’s reputation in the transfer market after years of poor recruitment.
The club’s stance on Rashford is a further sign that the Red Devils won’t let other clubs take advantage of them in the transfer window.
Barcelona need to pay the £26m and agree a salary with Rashford if they want to keep him beyond this season. It’s as simple as that.
Now Ruben Amorim has been fired, do you want Marcus Rashford to have another chance at Man Utd?
Barcelona struggle without Marcus Rashford
Rashford’s absence has been felt at Barcelona in recent matches.
A knee injury kept Rashford out of last week’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat to Atletico Madrid. That led to the forward missing Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat against local rivals Girona.
Barcelona need to turn things around, or they risk finishing the season empty-handed.
Raphinha, who starts ahead of Rashford, returned from injury for the Girona defeat.
Barcelona host Levante in La Liga on Sunday.
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