Marcus Rashford’s future is closing in on a permanent stay at Barcelona, but his contract is not over yet.
According to Sport, Barcelona have agreed personal terms with the 28-year-old forward, turning his loan spell from Manchester United into a permanent move.
The player side seems easier in this equation. Rashford wants to stay, Barcelona want him to stay and Hansi Flick is thought to be very happy with what he brings to the team.
What is difficult is the negotiations between clubs. Manchester United want to pay the agreed fee, while Barcelona are looking for a structure that works better with their financial situation.
Manchester United and Barcelona have not yet reached a transfer agreement
Sky Sports previously reported that Barcelona had a permanent option worth around £26m, but were reluctant to activate it as written due to budget constraints.
Rashford’s life at Barcelona is going better than most expected. After a difficult final period at Manchester United, he was in desperate need of a fresh start.
At Old Trafford, the pressure was heavy, the criticism constant and his performances judged by longstanding expectations. In Spain, the atmosphere around him changed.
He was able to play more freely and his speed added a direct weapon to Barcelona’s attack.
Reports in Spain and Catalonia claim that Barcelona won the league title under Flick, and that he had a strong performance during his loan spell, including 14 goals and 11 assists.
Frenkie de Jong has also publicly backed him to stay, praising the threat he poses to Barcelona in attack.
This kind of influence explains why Barcelona are keen to keep him.
Rashford did well in La Liga
Rashford is not a typical Barcelona-style winger in the old sense of the word. He is not only good at short passes and delicate combinations. He is more vertical in space, more direct, more dangerous.
But maybe that’s why he’s been working. Barcelona already have technical players.
Rashford gives them something different: speed, power and the ability to change direction quickly through the defensive line.
But Manchester United have a unique position. They are not expected to simply grant another cheap loan unless it suits them.
Reports suggest United would prefer a complete sale rather than a new loan, especially as Rashford remains on a big contract and does not appear to be a central figure in their plans.
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