Manchester United’s deal with Barcelona for Marcus Rashford is not quite complete yet.
The framework of a deal between Manchester United and Barcelona for Marcus Rashford is in place Barcelona would pay a £26 million fee in installments over three seasons.
However, politics at the Spanish club are fuelling some uncertainty over the move, along with the Manchester United loanee‘s form.
Marca report: “What remains is for Barcelona to make the final decision . This is impossible until the president-elect is known.
“If it’s Laporta, everything indicates that the deal will go through, although Deco is closely monitoring the Englishman’s performance, which has dipped in recent weeks.”
Rashford has not scored a goal or provided an assist for Barcelona since January.
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FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - LaLiga EA Sports
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Barcelona draw up back-up plan
Barcelona are drawing up a back-up plan in case a deal for Rashford collapses. This could happen if the La Liga side decide to back out of the proposed agreement.
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It is claimed that if Barcelona decide to spend big money on a striker, then they could also seek a cheaper option for a back-up winger – which is Rashford’s role.
Marca report that Barcelona would consider re-signing Abde Ezzalzouli from Real Betis. He has 11 goal contributions this season, and they still own 20 per cent of his rights.
Another option is Real Mallorca’s Jan Virgili, another former Barcelona youth player who they sold a year ago. They retain 50 per cent of his rights.
Both of these deals would be easy to do and more cost-effective.
The challenge for Rashford is to ensure that he is a ‘must-sign’ for Barcelona, and not give them any reason to want to back out.
He came off the bench in their Champions League away game against Newcastle in midweek, but was unable to replicate his group stage heroics. His performance at the weekend against Athletic Club was described as ‘stagnant’ by the Spanish media.
Rashford has only four La Liga goals all season. He has 10 in all competitions, but has gone six games in a row without goals or assists.
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Barcelona penalty
Barcelona will be on the hook financially if they fail to pay the purchase clause with Manchester United.
The conditions of the loan move mean that Barcelona must pay £5 million to Manchester United as a penalty clause if they back out of the stipulated agreement.
Chelsea did the same with Jadon Sancho last summer, preferring to pay a penalty rather than sign the winger permanently.
Fabrizio Romano this week insisted that United are ‘relaxed’ over the situation and are confident they could find a buyer for Rashford regardless.
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