Updated: 18 Jun 2026 16:52 BST |
4 min read
Barcelona’s chances of keeping hold of Marcus Rashford appear to be dangling by a thread after Manchester United hardened their stance over a deal for the forward.
Rashford spent last season on loan with Barca but the Catalan outfit opted against taking up their €30 million option to sign him permanently, with the 28-year-old now set to return to Old Trafford this summer.
United have no desire to keep Rashford at the club and want to get his wages off their books but they were unwilling to accept a lower deal from Barca and have now tasked intermediaries to find a permanent exit for the England international.
Barca are still open to extending Rashford’s stay at the club, however they would prefer another loan move, with their valuation of him now at ‘less than half’ of United’s price tag after the signing of Anthony Gordon last month, which reduced their need for a new left winger who would likely only be a squad option.
That is according to ESPN, who also claim that United have ‘no plans’ to negotiate a new loan agreement for Rashford and any attempt to do so by Barcelona will be turned down.
Rashford still sees Barcelona as his ideal destination and it has been claimed that he would opt to see out the final two years of his contract at United instead of joining another English club.
Rashford’s Man Utd uncertainty could drag on deep into summer after World Cup exploits
Rashford came off the bench to score for England on Wednesday in their first game at the 2026 World Cup, which will have boosted his chances of securing a new club this summer.
The likes of Bayern Munich and Aston Villa have explored the possibility of a deal, with United valuing Rashford at €40m after the expiry of Barcelona’s €30m clause.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been offered the chance to sign Rashford via intermediaries and, while they hold a tentative interest in a transfer, a deal would only be pursued as a loan or if United significantly drop their asking price.
Rashford’s future is unlikely to be resolved until after the World Cup, at which point he will return to Old Trafford, but United have yet to confirm whether they will integrate their academy graduate back into the first team or force him to find an exit like last summer.
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