Manchester United have been dealt a huge blow ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
It has been widely suggested that Barcelona have agreed a stunning £69 million deal with Newcastle United for Anthony Gordon.
That blockbuster transfer could dramatically reduce Barcelona’s ability to complete a permanent move for Marcus Rashford.
The 28-year-old spent the entire 2025-26 campaign on loan at Camp Nou after leaving Old Trafford last summer.
Barcelona reportedly possess an option to sign Rashford permanently for a relatively modest £26 million fee.
The Athletic have now revealed that senior executives at Barcelona admit that, with the arrival of Gordon, the chances of Rashford staying at Camp Nou are “more complicated”.
The United loanee enjoyed an impressive spell with the La Liga club. He scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 games across all competitions.
Barcelona are searching for a versatile forward capable of operating on either flank while also filling the central striker role following the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
On paper, Rashford appears to fit that profile perfectly.
However, Barcelona may now prefer Gordon because of his younger age, explosive mobility and relentless pressing intensity from the front.
His salary will also be significantly lower than Rashford’s, with the United forward now set to earn more than £300,000 per week after the club qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
INEOS have taken several steps to reduce the bloated wage bill at Old Trafford.
It feels highly unlikely that the club would enthusiastically welcome Rashford back after his controversial departure following his fallout with former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona are fully aware that United are desperate to permanently offload the England international this summer.
That awareness could now encourage the Catalan giants to push aggressively for another season-long loan deal instead of committing to a permanent transfer.
Unfortunately for United, years of poor financial management have left them negotiating from a position of weakness once again.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com