Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is edging closer to a move to Barcelona, with a verbal agreement reportedly reached regarding a temporary switch to the La Liga club. The deal, brokered through intermediaries, would initially be a loan and include a purchase option. Rashford has had his sights set on joining the Spanish giants since December, when he hinted at a desire to pursue a fresh challenge following his exclusion from the squad by manager Ruben Amorim.
Barcelona had previously explored other attacking options, notably Nico Williams. The Spain international, however, opted to renew his contract with Athletic Bilbao in a long-term deal, prompting Barcelona to redirect their attention to Rashford.
United forward seeking exit amid uncertainty
The 27-year-old striker has found himself increasingly isolated at Manchester United. He is currently among five players instructed to train separately from Amorim’s main group, a clear sign of the club’s intent to offload certain individuals. Rashford, the highest earner among them, reportedly does not see a future at United while Amorim remains in charge.
Rashford’s last competitive action came during a loan stint at Aston Villa in the latter half of the previous season. He featured in 17 matches across all competitions, scoring four times and assisting six. Despite the modest stats, his availability and experience remain attractive to Barcelona.
Financial implications for United
Allowing Rashford to leave—initially on loan—would provide significant financial relief for Manchester United. With only Casemiro earning more, his weekly wage of £325,000 represents a substantial portion of the club’s salary obligations. As United continue to restructure their squad under Amorim, outgoing transfers have become essential to balancing the books, especially after allocating over £130 million towards acquiring Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
A move to Barcelona could benefit all parties involved, offering Rashford a new beginning, Barcelona another attacking option, and Manchester United room to invest further in reshaping their team.
