Updated: 25 May 2026 16:34 BST |
4 min read
Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford is “pleased and reassured” after the latest developments at Barcelona.
The England international is about to jet off to the 2026 World Cup with his club future in limbo. Rashford is coming off an impressive loan stint at Barcelona and is unequivocal in his desire to remain at the refurbished Camp Nou beyond this summer.
However, Barcelona are still hesitant to trigger the €30 million purchase option they negotiated with Man Utd last summer. For the first time in a long time, the Blaugrana are expected to be able to make signings without restrictions, but their finances remain closely monitored.
So far, Man Utd have blocked any and all attempts to renegotiate the deal. They do not want to agree to a second loan for Rashford, nor do they have any appetite to offer Barcelona an even bigger discount on a player whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stood at over €50m earlier this year.
According to AS, Man Utd are now secretly hoping that Barcelona give up on signing Rashford altogether. They want the 28-year-old to return to Old Trafford, so that they can sell him elsewhere. Clubs willing to pay well over €30m have supposedly already come forward.
Flick reassures Rashford
However, Barcelona will not admit defeat that easily. The Spanish outlet reports that head coach Hansi Flick, who recently signed a contract extension until 2028, has had a face-to-face talk with Rashford.
The German reiterated to the Englishman that he and Barcelona are aligned in their desire to make the winger’s transfer permanent. It is claimed that Flick told Rashford, “I’m counting on you.”
The 28-year-old was reportedly “pleased” with Flick’s comments and left “reassured” about his future. Rashford believes that Barcelona will find a way to thrash out a deal with Man Utd.
The player’s desire here is key: Rashford has made it clear that he is not considering any other options as long as there remains hope that the LaLiga champions could sign him. “Rashford is determined to stay at Barcelona,” the publication writes.
“It’s his sole objective and where his focus lies. He has no intention of returning to Man Utd, the club with which he has a contract until June 2028, nor of joining any other sporting project, even if it means more money. He wants to remain at Barca. And he’s optimistic. He has good reason to be.”
The report confirms that Rashford is willing to do “everything in his power” to make his signing easier for Barcelona, namely by lowering his salary. Rashford “feels loved by his teammates, valued by Flick, applauded by the Barca fans, and has already settled in well in Barcelona.”
Ben Jacobs, meanwhile, writes that Barcelona are poised to hold fresh talks with Man Utd over Rashford this week.
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