Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is currently on loan with Barcelona with the Spanish club having the opition to make the transfer permanent in the summer
Marcus Rashford of Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park.
Marcus Rashford is on loan with Barcelona from Manchester United. (Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
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Barcelona have reportedly set out conditions to make Marcus Rashford’s loan move from Manchester United permanent in the summer. The forward is with the Spanish giants on a temporary deal with them having the option to make it permanent at the end of the season.
It has been reported that Barcelona are planning to trigger the £26 million clause in the deal. However, there are now some suggestions that they could be having second thoughts.
Rashford had been a regular in Barca’s starting line-up in the middle part of the season, but he has more recently found himself named on the bench more often. He was an unused substitute for the La Liga matches against Real Oviedo and Levante.
Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park saw him come on the pitch for the final 20 minutes. That’s despite the forward scoring a brace in the last game between the two sides.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the 28-year-old now must earn his place in the squad for the final games of the season.
While it’s suggested that a move is still likely, it is added that he’s ‘expected to perform better’ in the end-of-season run-in. It is added that Barcelona also admire Chelsea forward Pedro Neto, who can play on either wing or as a false nine.
Marcus Rashford enters the pitch as a substitute to replace Robert Lewandowski during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park.
Marcus Rashford has found himself as a substitute more reguarly in recent weeks. (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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If Barca follow up their interest in Neto in the summer, that would create more competition in the squad for Rashford and could increase the risk of the move not being made permanent, with him returning to United.
So far this season, Rashford has scored 10 times and provided a further 13 assists in 38 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona. However, his last goal came at the end of January in the 3-1 win over Elche.
Rashford’s future could be impacted by Barcelona’s presidential election, which takes place in just a couple of days' time on 15 March.
Joan Laporta, who currently holds the role, is in the running, alongside candidates Victor Font and Marc Circa.
Should Laporta be re-elected, then Deco is likely to remain as sporting director, meaning that transfer plans are expected to remain the same going into the summer transfer window. They could change, however, if a new president is elected.