Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has decided it is the right time to seal a permanent move away from Old Trafford and he is prepared to wait for a move to Barcelona even though the La Liga heavyweights have not given assurances that they are willing to meet his price tag, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed on the latest episode of our Market Madness podcast.
Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim has been determined to make adjustments to his attacking options after missing out on silverware and European qualification during the 2024/25 campaign, leading to Matheus Cunha completing a £62.5million switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bryan Mbeumo has also been in Manchester United's sights, only for two big-money bids to be rejected by Premier League counterparts Brentford, and Rashford is among the names to have been put on the market as his current employers aim to boost their budget for further reinforcements.
Rashford Edges Closer to Red Devils Exit Door
England international deemed surplus to requirements
Marcus Rashford in action for England
Manchester United have notified Rashford that he is surplus to requirements, according to GMS sources, and he has accepted that it is the right time to quit his boyhood club as he aims to build on a productive loan spell with domestic rivals Aston Villa in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.
The England international is on a contract which allows him to pocket £300,000-per-week, resulting in the Red Devils being determined to get him off the wage bill permanently after he has been unable to convince Amorim that he should be at the forefront of his plans heading into the upcoming season.
GMS sources have been informed that Rashford - who has enjoyed a productive career at Old Trafford - and Manchester United are on the same page over his future after holding talks, and he has pinpointed Barcelona as his preferred destination as he is eager to compete in the Champions League and is leaning towards testing himself abroad.
Marcus Rashford's statistics at Manchester United
The wide forward, who was described as 'brilliant' by pundit Stephen Warnock after rediscovering his best form while on loan at Aston Villa, is not on course to make another appearance in a Red Devils shirt and there is hope behind the scenes that he will seal his departure in the coming weeks.
Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have included Rashford alongside Luis Diaz and Christopher Nkunku - of Liverpool and Chelsea respectively - on their shortlist of targets, GMS sources have learned, but Rashford wants to join Barcelona and will trust them to make space to register him if a fee is agreed.
Hierarchy Refuse to Lower Rashford Demands
Wide forward back in individual training before expected departure
Marcus Rashford applauding the Aston Villa supporters
GMS sources have been told that Manchester United are holding out for £40million and will not drop their demands after Barcelona initially showed a willingness to activate Athletic Bilbao talisman Nico Williams' £50million release clause, highlighting that they have the funds to buy Rashford.
The La Liga title-holders have been forced to move onto alternative targets as the Spain international penned a new 10-year contract in his current surroundings earlier this month, leading to the Red Devils indicating that they will not accept a cut-price fee for their 27-year-old academy graduate.
Manchester United are not prepared to entertain a loan deal for Rashford at this stage, even though GMS sources understand that was Barcelona's original preference before Williams' decision to stay at Athletic Bilbao, while he is already back in individual training even though he was given permission to delay his return to focus on his next move.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim Related
Exclusive: Amorim to Make 'Big Man Utd Transfer U-Turn' on £200,000-a-Week Star
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is prepared to keep Andre Onana as his first-choice goalkeeper heading into the new season
GMS sources recently revealed that the former Aston Villa loanee's desire to wait for a switch is impacting the Red Devils as they were initially desperate to sanction his departure before pre-season, while remaining on the books will also result in Amorim having less cash to spend on reinforcements.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 09/07/2025
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