26 May 2026 13:00 BST |
5 min read
Barcelona and Manchester United are preparing to hold fresh discussions over the future of Marcus Rashford as both clubs look to conclude a deal before the World Cup, according to eSPORTY’s Ben Jacobs.
Rashford has enjoyed a new lease of life in Spain this season after being frozen out by previous United manager Ruben Amorim, recording 14 goals and as many assists to help Barcelona win the La Liga title.
The England international moved to Spotify Camp Nou on a season-long loan last July, with the deal including an option which allows the Blaugrana to sign him on a permanent basis for €30million (£26m) this summer.
However, according to The Athletic, Barcelona have cooled their interest in triggering the clause, with a separate report in The Independent claiming Hansi Flick’s side would prefer to agree another loan deal with United.
Though in a new report from transfers guru Jacobs, Barcelona are reportedly still open to signing Rashford permanently, though the club are hoping United will agree to a new season-long loan arrangement which contains a fresh conditional obligation to buy Rashford centred around him making a small number of appearances in 2026-27.
Rashford has made no secret of his desire to remain at Barcelona beyond the summer, telling reporters earlier this month: “I don’t know [if I will stay], I’m not a magician but if I was I would stay at Barcelona.
“We will see. Football is unpredictable but for now, I will just enjoy it, live in the moment and reassess at the end of the season and see what is possible.”
Barcelona could free up funds to sign Rashford by offloading Marc Casado, with Spanish publication SPORT claiming the midfielder has received offers from the Saudi Pro League ahead of the summer transfer window opening next month.
The same outlet claims that should Barcelona opt to sell Casado, the club would look to use the transfer fee to strengthen in other areas of the pitch, with Hansi Flick’s side boasting a wealth of midfielders including Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Marc Bernal.
United would prefer permanent Rashford sale ahead of midfield revamp
United meanwhile would prefer to sell Rashford as part of their plans to revamp their midfield this summer, according to The Independent, with the club holding interest in Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, Atalanta’s Ederson and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, per various sources.
Red Devils manager Michael Carrick stressed the importance of the upcoming summer transfer window, telling the club’s official website: “I think the beauty of the next transfer window for everybody, it’s always the biggest thing in the world, and the most important transfer window of all time for every club I think.
“That’s just the nature of how it’s been created, to be honest. And I think, again, as a football club, you want to keep moving forward. We certainly do as a football club, want to keep moving forward. So, I think it’s acknowledged we’re at this stage and the dynamics and the balance of the direction we’re at, where we’ve ended up getting to and finishing in the league.
“And there’s obviously work to do. I know it’s quite obvious, there’s certain players leaving, that there’s a bit of work to do. It’s not any more important, this one, than the last one, or it’s what’s ahead of us as a football club to try and make the most of.”
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