FC Barcelona have been impressed with how Marcus Rashford has performed so far since arriving on loan from Manchester United in the summer.
The 28-year-old forward joined on a season-long loan deal with the agreement consisting of a €30 million permanent purchase clause for the summer.
Given how he has done, the Blaugrana are intent on keeping hold of the England international beyond the ongoing campaign.
Barcelona unwilling to pay €30 million
However, according to Ben Jacobs on talkSPORT, Barcelona do not wish to activate the €30 million purchase clause for Rashford.
Instead, the La Liga champions are hoping to negotiate fresh, reduced terms with Manchester United for the attacker as their financial situation remains tight.
In fact, a meeting is understood to have taken place between the two clubs earlier this month, where Barça proposed adjustments to the Rashford deal, with two options being considered.
Marcus Rashford, Barcelona player
Barça want to keep Rashford, but not by paying €30 million. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The first option proposed by the Blaugrana was to sign Rashford for less than the €30 million release clause this summer. The second alternative was to explore a fresh loan for the 2026/27 season that would include a conditional obligation to buy.
Manchester United, for their part, prefer to sell Rashford outright this summer and are unlikely to entertain a loan extension.
However, with the forward unwilling to consider any other clubs apart from Barcelona, they could be forced to accept a fee lower than the €30 million agreed upon initially, even though the Red Devils feel that is a very reasonable figure.
Barcelona are willing to hand Rashford a contract until the summer of 2029. More talks with Manchester United will take place again towards the end of the season as they try to find a compromise.