Marcus Rashford on the verge of permanent Man United exit but there is stumbling block

Marcus Rashford is close to agreeing terms to join Barcelona this summer but there is work to do in club negotiations, talkSPORT understands.

The 28-year-old England attacker is in advanced talks with Barcelona to finalise an agreement having informed the club he wants to stay beyond his current loan from Manchester United.

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However, club-to-club discussions have hit a stalemate with further talks planned.

Manchester United sources have consistently insisted Barcelona must pay the €30m option to buy if they want to make Rashford’s move permanent.

United sources stress this is excellent value for money given it falls below Rashford’s market valuation. This position has also been directly communicated to Barcelona sporting director Deco.

Multiple club-to-club meetings have already taken place this year, starting in January.

These have been initiated by Barcelona to try and re-negotiate both the number and structure of the option to buy.

talkSPORT understands Deco has also proposed a second season-long loan as one option allowing Barcelona more time pay off the fee while still giving Manchester United the full valuation of the clause.

Rashford has scored 10 goals and got 13 assists in 38 matches and is on course to make Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Hansi Flick has told the Barcelona hierarchy that keeping Rashford is one of his top priorities.

However, Barcelona are exploring other attackers in case a Rashford deal with Manchester United is not possible, but United feel the LaLiga club may eventually simply pay the €30m required.

Spanish media have suggested Chelsea winger Pedro Neto is another target yet there is no guarantee the Portugal international leaves Chelsea this summer, and he is valued at over twice Rashford’s clause.

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Neto can play on the left as well as the right.

Re-signing Abde Ezzalzouli from Real Betis is another more economical option. The Moroccan has 11 goal contributions this season, and Barcelona already retain 20 per cent of his rights.

Another ex-Barcelona attacker Jan Virgili is another name discussed, but viewed as less likely at this stage.

With the left winger only 19, Barcelona are inclined to watch his development for at least another season before assessing whether it is worth buying him back.

Manchester City’s Savinho and Koln’s Said El Mala are two other names appreciated but likely to be out of Barcelona’s price range.

Leverkusen’s Eliesse Ben Seghir has also been looked at in previous windows.

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And on the right side, PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye is another player tracked Barcelona, but there has been no encouragement to date the French champions are willing to sell, and Barcelona are focused on the left side this summer.

Barcelona need a list of alternative targets because it is unlikely Manchester United change their position on Rashford, at least not so far out from the summer window opening, but Rashford is believed to be optimistic he can stay in Spain and feels he remains Barcelona’s top left-sided target.

United remain keen to get Rashford’s wage permanently off their books, and it is not thought a new manager will change this position.

Rashford was informed by Manchester United last summer he had no future at Old Trafford.

He now has just over two years left on his current deal and it would require a major U-turn from the club if they decide to reintegrate him into the first-team squad should Barcelona fail to make the signing permanent.