Barcelona take first step towards permanent signing of Marcus Rashford – but they have a problem

Barcelona have opened talks with Manchester United to sign Marcus Rashford permanently, talkSPORT understands.

However, they have no plans to simply pay his €30million (£26m) option to buy without first proposing more economical options.

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The United loanee wants to join Barcelona permanently and president Joan Laporta has already informed the England forward of the club’s desire to keep him.

Rashford has scored seven goals in 27 appearances and also has 11 assists.

Given the 28-year-old’s contract expires in 2028, and his market value is currently higher than the buy option in place, paying the €30m would seem a logical step. 

But with Barcelona’s finances tight, the Catalan club have now informed the Red Devils they prefer to negotiate fresh terms.

Barcelona sources have told talkSPORT a meeting took place with United earlier this month in which the LaLiga club raised two possibilities.

The first is to sign Rashford for less than his clause this summer, and the second to explore a fresh loan for the 2026/27 season that would include a conditional obligation to buy.

United prefer to sell Rashford this summer and believe the clause is not unreasonable, but Barcelona have the advantage that as it stands Rashford is not engaging with any other suitors and is intent to remain at the Camp Nou.

There remains a realistic chance he gets his wish, but Barcelona are looking for a more financially palatable way of adding him permanently before committing to triggering the €30m buy option.

Barcelona are prepared to offer Rashford a contract until summer 2029 and talks with United are set to ramp up towards the end of the season as both clubs try and find a solution.

The England international’s form has seen him return to the Three Lions squad since joining Barca.

Rashford missed out on Thomas Tuchel’s squad in June after his loan spell at Aston Villa during the second half of last season.

However, he has featured in all six of England’s matches so far this term as he helped his country qualify for the World Cup.

He could also be set for a bigger role at Barcelona next season if a deal can be agreed to extend his stay.

Robert Lewandowski, who turns 38 in August, is currently out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

Should Barca sign Rashford permanently?

European football expert Andy Brassell certainly believes this move has a good chance of happening, insisting it would be a ‘sensible’ one for Barca.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Brassell explained: “I do think he’s probably the most sensible financial deal out there.

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“He’s maybe the cheapest financial deal out there. They may even loan him for an extra year.

“He’s taken a fair hit on his wages and if United are keen on moving him on permanently and if something can be worked out, it feels like one of the best deals out there for Barcelona because they know he works there already. There’s not as much risk as there would be buying a player fresh.

“I think if they go out there and try and buy someone of Marcus Rashford’s quality on the open market, it’s going to be a heck of a lot more expensive.

“We’ve got to bear in mind as well that next season, they’ll probably, almost certainly, have Robert Lewandowski’s wages off the books.”

United’s Rashford decision

United have no plans to bring Rashford back to Old Trafford after Ruben Amorim’s exit, talkSPORT understands.

The academy graduate had been exiled from the first-team under the Portuguese, who was sacked earlier this month.

Despite Amorim leaving United, a return for Rashford remains unlikely.

The decision to offload him to Barcelona was also influenced by director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.

Both Wilcox and Berrada remain at the club as their main decision-makers ahead of the summer.