Marcus Rashford's future prospects have already taken a number of twists and turns after an impressive season at Barcelona as the Catalan side are reluctant to pay Manchester United's fee
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's future is uncertain(Image: David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Barcelona may have already signed Anthony Gordon and be making a move for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, but they are still plotting to secure Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. The Catalan club are staggeringly planning to bid just more than half of the £26m option they agreed as part of the forward's loan from Old Trafford.
Barca's cunning plan is they hope that United's desire to offload Rashford's £325,000 salary from their wage bill will seem them forced to accept a cut-price deal, according to Mail Online. Rashford remains under contract with his parent club until 2028.
The La Liga champions will not pay the fee required if United hold out for the fee they inserted into the deal made last summer. While Rashford has already agreed that he would almost half his salary to remain at Camp Nou.
Rashford is said to have planned talks with United as he looks for clarity ahead of his World Cup campaign with England. The 28-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona and had planned to remain in Spain moving forward.
Barca's early moves in the transfer market have created plenty of uncertainty over the possibility of Rashford enjoying a second season at the club. Hansi Flick's side are said to also be eyeing Bernardo Silva on a free transfer.
They are ready to offer Silva a wage of about £80,000 a week, which would be a significant decrease on his earnings at City. It is claimed in Spain that Silva's arrival could rule out a move for Rashford.
Arsenal and Spurs are reportedly keen on signing Marcus Rashford this summer.
Arsenal and Spurs are reportedly keen on signing Marcus Rashford this summer.(Image: Copyright (c) 2025 Shutterstock Editorial. No use without permission.)
View 2 Images
Rashford has other interested parties, as Barcelona test their resolve, however. Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked to his signature, while Bayern Munich could be a possible destination after they missed out on Gordon.
United would prefer not to strengthen a Premier League rival, but an offer would be considered for the right money. Former United striker Teddy Sheringham reckons Rashford could even return to the club.
"Yes, things can turn around," Sheringham said. "If he did want to come back he could explain his motives over the last couple of years.
"Did he have a problem with Ruben Amorim? Or does he have a problem with the football club?
"If he’s got no problem with the club, and it was all due to the previous manager, that’s an issue that can be solved and all can be forgiven, but some of the performances he was putting in during his last season weren’t great. He’d need to turn things around and win people back again.
"Michael Carrick has to make the decision on whether he knows Rashford well enough to get the best out of him or whether bringing him back would put them both back in the same scenario."