Joan Laporta won re-election as FC Barcelona presidentplaceholder image
Joan Laporta won re-election as FC Barcelona president | AFP via Getty Images
Man Utd have some big decisions to make in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta claims the club will 'try' to sign Marcus Rashford this summer after he won re-election to continue in his role.
Laporta will remain in charge for a further five years after he defeated opponent Victor Font with just over 68% of the vote. The 63-year-old has already vowed to make Barcelona 'unstoppable' during his fourth tenure and claimed 'exciting years lie ahead' for supporters of the La Liga giants.
A key issue will be the future of Manchester United star Marcus Rashford. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a successful loan spell at Barcelona this season, with 10 goals and 13 assists for the club. It has always been the wish of manager Hansi Flick to make the move permanent in the summer, and Barcelona will explore the possibility, with Flick also expected to sign a one-year contract extension.
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Barcelona reveal Rashford wish
Barcelona have the option to sign Marcus Rashford permanently at the end of his season-long loan spell this summer. The Catalan club took the Manchester United forward on loan last year after they agreed to cover his wages for the campaign and also agreed an option to make the move permanent for €30 million (£25.9m).
It is understood Rashford would love to join Barcelona on a full transfer, though the La Liga side are reluctant to pay the fee they previously agreed on, along with his huge wages. United are adamant they won't budge on the €30m deal, which they already believe reflects great value for money, and are confident they won't be short of interest elsewhere if Barca don't trigger their option to buy. Both clubs want the best deal they can negotiate, and the compromise might have to come from the player’s wage demands, rather than United’s asking price.
United still expect Rashford to leave permanently at the end of the season, and club sources have downplayed the suggestion he would be reintegrated into the squad. There are no current plans to reintegrate him into their first-team squad, and United would like to get his wages off their books.
Speaking after his re-election was confirmed, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was asked about the future of both Rashford and former Man City full-back Joao Cancelo. “Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals, and Cancelo, on the other hand, is doing very well," Laporta told RAC1. "He has become a key player due to the injuries of both full-backs. We will try, in Barça’s interest, to ensure that Marcus can continue.”
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