By CIARAN FOREMAN, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 07:52 EST, 11 January 2026 | Updated: 07:52 EST, 11 January 2026
Barcelona want to keep Marcus Rashford at the end of his loan spell from Man United, it has emerged.
The 28-year-old joined the LaLiga giants on a season-long loan deal last July with an option to make the deal permanent for around £26million, after being banished from the United squad by now-sacked boss Ruben Amorim.
Rashford has bagged an impressive seven goals and 11 assists in 26 appearances for Hansi Flick's side - who sit four points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the league - and has insisted he is happy in Catalonia.
While Amorim has now left United after a breakdown with the club's hierarchy, the decision to let Rashford go was not solely taken by the Portuguese head coach, according to The Athletic.
It is said that United, as a club, had expected more from one of their top earners and that the departure of Amorim has not changed anything regarding the future of their former academy graduate.
The outlet also claim Barcelona now wish to make Rashford's deal permanent.
Barcelona reportedly want to sign Marcus Rashford after a successful loan from Man United
Rashford left United for Barca after falling out of favour with now-sacked boss Ruben Amorim
It has been widely reported that Barcelona's sporting director and former player Deco has met with Rashford's agent at the club's hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to inform him.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo reported earlier this month that improvements to Rashford's defence and pressing were required before a permanent deal was sanctioned. It was also claimed that Barca may look to negotiate a reduced fee.
The Catalan side play El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in Jeddah in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday evening, after the Middle Eastern country's government paid the Spanish Football Federation an undisclosed sum of money to host it.
Rashford started the semi-final, also held in Jeddah, from the bench. Barcelona ran out 5-0 victors against Athletic Club on Wednesday and are favourites to win the trophy.
The England winger told Spanish outlet Sport that he wishes to be part of the club's future plans to win more trophies in an interview last month.
'Of course this is what I want,' he said. 'But it's not the reason why I'm pushing and working hard.
'The reason why is because I want to win. Barcelona is a fantastic club. A club that is known for winning, and it's this type of pressure – I want to say pressure but it's not a bad type of pressure.
'It's a pressure that you look forward to and a pressure that I want to have whilst I'm playing football. If I'm at a club that doesn't demand these things then it's more difficult for me to be motivated. It's a fantastic environment for me to continue my football journey.'
He added: 'From the minute that I arrived I felt welcome. For me, the reason why I'm here is to help the team. I'm here to help them win trophies.
'Last year they had a fantastic season but – like in life and in football – things move on quickly so we have to repeat the season that we had last season.
'I'm fully focused on this and the staff, the players know that I'm focused on this so it's really good.'
Barca sporting director Deco is said to have told Rashford's agent of the club's plan to sign him
Rashford broke through from United's academy into the first team under Louis van Gaal in 2016, and the Wythenshawe native was one of the club's brightest prospects for the future.
But a turbulent period at United – including witnessing six different managers in charge – led to inconsistent performances in his later seasons.
After netting 30 times in Erik ten Hag's debut season, he struggled to maintain his form and the arrival of Amorim marked the beginning of the end for the England international's time at Old Trafford.
He joined Aston Villa less than three months after the arrival of the Portuguese boss, who said he could not get Rashford to buy into his ideas.
'What I say is I couldn't put Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it,' Amorim said at the time.
'And sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach and the same player with another coach is different. I just wish the best to Rashford.'
Amorim banished Rashford to United's so-called 'bomb squad 'alongside Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia, who all trained away from the first-team.
The Portuguese coach then famously made suggested he would rather select his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach than the forward.
'You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace,' Amorim said just two months after arriving at United. 'But I would put [Jorge Vital] before a player who doesn't give the maximum every day.'