Barcelona have an option to make Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United permanent this summer, as the England international's transfer saga takes a fresh twist
Marcus Rashford looks on
Marcus Rashford's Barcelona future is in doubt(Image: AP)
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Marcus Rashford is thought to have squandered a golden chance to make a name for himself with Barcelona this month and secure a permanent move to the Camp Nou. The 28-year-old is currently enjoying a season-long loan with the Catalan giants after burning his bridges at Old Trafford.
The England international fell out of favour during Ruben Amorim's tenure, enjoying the latter stages of last season on loan with Aston Villa before joining Barca in the summer on a year-long deal. However, the La Liga leaders have an option to make his move permanent at the end of the current campaign for around £26million.
Rashford had the opportunity to make that option a no-brainer this month when Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury. However, the forward didn't truly take it.
Rashford had free reign to make a mark during Barcelona's set of Champions League quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid this month - rolled out as a starter in the initial fixture at the Nou Camp. After an uninspiring performance, he was relegated to the bench for the reverse at the Metropolitano - Dani Olmo instead taking his place.
As Barcelona ultimately crashed out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate, it remains to be seen whether Rashford will be given another chance to prove his worth in this weekend's La Liga clash with Getafe away from home.
Elsewhere, Marca report that another issue may be at play in terms of a permanent move to sunny Spain for Rashford this summer - in that the club may not be willing to pay United their asking price outright.
The publication claim that the club have highlighted a potential of paying the clause in instalments. However, United's stance is that they will not renegotiate their initial deal.
Barca sources reportedly explained just a matter of months ago that meeting Rashford's personal terms would not be an issue, however, it is now suggested that the club are considering wider options to bolster their attacking line.
With Robert Lewandowski's future at the club beyond 2025/26 in doubt, Barcelona could opt to instead utilise their resources by bringing in another out and out striker as opposed to splashing the cash on Rashford - who favours the left flank.
The likes of Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic have each been linked with a move to the Nou Camp as of late - their respective wages eating into Barca's transfer kitty should a deal for either come to fruition.
Should Rashford return to Greater Manchester, there's always a chance that he could break back into first-team plans, given Amorim is no longer with the club and Michael Carrick recently left the door open to that possibility.
Speaking about Rashford's situation this month, he said: "There's decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation. But at this point in time, nothing's been decided. It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there's nothing to say."
However, with Carrick's own future with the club beyond the current season up in the air - given he is only in an interim role with no guarantee of permanent tenure - Rashford cannot put all of his eggs in one basket.