Marcus Rashford is set for a fresh start at Barcelona after months on the sidelines at Manchester United. The Spanish giants have reached a loan agreement with an option to buy, agreeing to pay his full £325k-a-week wages.
Marcus Rashford is on the verge of completing a loan move to Barcelona after being deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
A deal in principle has been reached between both clubs, with the Spanish side agreeing to cover the entirety of Rashford’s £325,000 a week wages and retaining an option to buy.
The 27-year-old forward has long expressed interest in joining the Catalan giants. He reportedly set his sights on playing at the Nou Camp as early as last month, stating a desire to line up alongside rising star Lamine Yamal.
Barcelona’s sporting director Deco also confirmed the club’s admiration for Rashford in May, suggesting he could improve the squad.
Rashford has not played for United since being dropped by manager Ruben Amorim in December 2024, following criticism over his attitude and work rate. He spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, where he showed glimpses of form that earned him an England recall.
However, his long-term future remained uncertain on his return to Old Trafford, where he was among a group of players told to train separately after expressing their desire to leave.
United had originally sought a permanent sale, pricing Rashford at £40 million. But Barcelona’s financial constraints made a loan move more viable, particularly after failed attempts to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Liverpool’s Luis DÃaz.
Rashford’s ability to play both on the left wing and centrally makes him an attractive option for Barcelona, especially as they look to reduce their reliance on 37-year-old Robert Lewandowski.
The left side of their attack has been a problem area since Neymar’s exit in 2017, and the club is now betting on Rashford to help fill that void.
Although Rashford hasn’t hit the 20-goal mark since the 2022–23 season, his top-flight experience and versatility make him a low-risk gamble for Barcelona under new coach Hansi Flick. If the move proves successful, a permanent transfer next summer could follow.
Rashford, who has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for United, is expected to make a personal statement on his departure soon.
“When I leave, it’s going to be no hard feelings,” he said in December. “I think I’m ready for a new challenge.”
Picture credit: Getty Images
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