Marcus Rashford's agents have met with Barcelona as the club reportedly accepts paying the £26million buyout clause, with negotiations ongoing over personal terms for a permanent move
Barcelona are reportedly working on a deal to make Marcus Rashford's move permanent from Manchester United.
Barcelona are reportedly working on a deal to make Marcus Rashford's move permanent from Manchester United.(Image: AP)
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Barcelona have reportedly agreed to meet the £26million asking price for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford.
The former Aston Villa loanee joined the La Liga heavyweights on a season-long loan at the start of the campaign in pursuit of regular first-team football, having slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
With limited opportunities at United, Rashford spent time on loan at Villa Park 12 months ago, but now appears destined for a permanent departure from his boyhood club, amid reports that Barcelona are pressing ahead with a deal.
Rashford, scored twice and assisted his teammates twice across 10 league games for Villa, and has praised the move since departing Villa Park.
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“I feel like the timing of me going to Villa was like, now looking back, it was the exact time for me to do something like that," the England international told Gary Lineker and Micah Richards in July.
“So I feel like the response and the reaction I got from the people at the club and the fans, it was probably what I needed on a personal level in that moment."
Spanish publication Sport have reported that Hansi Flick's outfit have agreed to trigger the €30million (£26m) release clause and are now finalising personal terms.
Rashford is prepared to accept reduced wages to complete his switch to the European powerhouses. The publication suggests that the England international is willing to make financial sacrifices to secure his permanent move to Barcelona and has already indicated he'll do everything necessary.
The striker's representatives held talks with sporting director Deco on Monday to accelerate discussions over his long-term future. Barcelona are working to restructure his wages and are reportedly 'calmly finalising the agreement' with the England star, with an official announcement expected at the conclusion of the season.
The Spanish giants are optimistic that Rashford's market value will rise, enabling them to recover their outlay should he eventually depart the club.
Earlier reports suggested Barcelona were attempting to drive down the asking price ahead of a potential summer transfer, despite Rashford's impressive tally of 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
Rashford has made no secret of his desire to secure a permanent switch, recently posting an hourglass emoji on Instagram, suggesting an agreement could be imminent. Speaking to SPORT, he said: "I'm adapting very well to the club and the city.
"From the moment I arrived I felt that everyone welcomed me very well. For me, the reason I'm here is to help the team win trophies.
"Last season was fantastic, but in life everything happens very quickly, things change and the goal is to repeat the successes.
"I'm totally focused on this. With the staff and the teammates everything is fantastic, I can't complain.
"Of course what I want is to stay at Barca. It's an end goal, but it's not the reason why I'm training hard and giving it my best.
"The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles."
He continued: "There is pressure here, but it is not a negative pressure. It's the one you want as a player, the one I want and have always wanted as a footballer.
"I can't be in a place where important objectives are not demanded of you. For me, it is more difficult to be motivated and give my best at a club where the demand is not maximum.
"I'm in the perfect place and environment to continue my journey as a football player, so I just try to do my best every day and help the team win. We'll see what happens next summer."