Barcelona are attempting to negotiate a reduced fee for Marcus Rashford, despite failing to trigger the option to buy following his season-long loan from Manchester United, according to reports in The Daily Mail. The Spanish club are hoping to capitalize on Manchester United’s desire to remove Rashford’s substantial £325,000 weekly wage from their payroll.
Rashford enjoyed a productive spell in Catalonia, and has publicly stated his preference to remain with Barcelona beyond his loan period. Manager Hansi Flick is also keen to secure the player’s services, having instructed sporting director Deco to pursue a deal. However, Barcelona’s recent acquisition of Anthony Gordon for £75 million, alongside a continued pursuit of Julian Alvarez, initially led to speculation that they would not be able to afford Rashford’s €30 million (£26 million) option to buy.
Instead, Barcelona are reportedly formulating a plan to revisit a deal for Rashford later in the summer transfer window. The club anticipates that financial restrictions imposed by LaLiga will be lifted, allowing them to complete the signing even with other additions to the squad. However, their initial offer is expected to be significantly lower than the agreed option, reportedly “just over half” of the £26 million figure – approximately £13 million.
The strategy hinges on Manchester United’s financial situation, with Barcelona believing the Premier League club will be willing to accept a lower fee to alleviate Rashford’s wage burden. Rashford’s contract at Old Trafford runs until 2028, giving United some leverage in negotiations. Should a deal not materialize, Aston Villa, where Rashford spent a loan spell during the 2024/25 season, could emerge as an alternative destination, though the player is said to be committed to joining Barcelona. The situation is expected to continue throughout the summer, with Barcelona hoping to pressure United into accepting their offer.
