Barcelona are seriously considering keeping Marcus Rashford beyond the end of his current loan spell, despite the English forward’s up-and-down performances this season.
According to a report from AS, the club’s internal view remains largely positive, with decision-makers believing that Rashford’s impact still justifies continuity.
Rashford’s arrival at Barcelona came under unusual circumstances, as he was not the club’s first choice.
Barça had explored moves for Nico Williams and Luis Diaz, but both operations failed to materialise.
Despite that context, Rashford adapted quickly. He settled into life in Spain, adjusted to the demands of a new league, and found his place in the system of Hansi Flick.
Early in the season, his role became even more important when Raphinha picked up an injury, forcing Flick to rely on Rashford as a regular starter on the wing.
However, the landscape shifted as injured players returned. With more competition for minutes, Rashford’s prominence declined, and with it came inconsistency.
His performances began to fluctuate, sometimes within the same match. That pattern has defined his season so far.
Strong and troubling numbers
Even so, his statistics remain strong, as nine goals and 12 assists represent a solid return for a player experiencing his first season outside England.
Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona
Rashford is dividing opinions at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
However, the issue lies elsewhere, as Rashford often feels unpredictable, for better and for worse.
At times, he produces moments no one expects. At others, he struggles with decision-making, misreads situations, or fails to deliver in moments that appear routine.
Troubling start to 2026
The start of 2026 has been challenging for Rashford, who was substituted at half-time against Espanyol.
In the Spanish Super Cup, he played less than half an hour against Athletic Club in the semi-final, and then struggled again in the final against Real Madrid.
Signs of recovery followed, as an assist against Slavia Praha hinted at renewed confidence.
After missing the Oviedo match due to physical issues, Rashford returned in the Champions League against Copenhagen and delivered a stunning free kick, a reminder of his quality and his ability to decide games on his own.
What now?
The outlet mentions that Rashford divides opinion, as some see him as a luxury option, a loan player capable of changing matches even on an average day.
Others question whether his inconsistency fits Barcelona’s need for control and reliability.
For now, the club is leaning towards keeping Rashford next season, convinced that his ceiling remains too high to ignore.