Rashford set to join Barcelona in the coming hours

Rashford Set to Join Barcelona in the Coming Hours

Marcus Rashford is on the verge of becoming a Barcelona player. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo and Sport, negotiations between the Catalan club and Manchester United intensified on Saturday, resulting in a final agreement. Rashford’s approval had reportedly been secured weeks ago.

The deal is structured as a loan for the 2025–26 season, with an option to buy. The purchase clause is believed to be set between €30–35 million, though it may be adjusted depending on the player's performance. Rashford is expected to travel to Barcelona on Sunday.

Upon arrival, the 27-year-old forward will undergo a medical. If cleared, he will immediately join Hansi Flick's squad, which is preparing for a pre-season tour in Asia. The team’s first friendly is scheduled for July 27 against Vissel Kobe in Japan.

While Barcelona initially prioritized moves for Nico Williams and were also negotiating for Luis Díaz, the Rashford option remained on the table thanks to sporting director Deco.

From a financial standpoint, the Englishman was the most viable choice. Despite concerns over his inconsistent form in recent seasons, the club remains confident he can rediscover his best version at Camp Nou. In fact, Flick reportedly spoke with Rashford back in May to express his personal interest in bringing him to Barça.

To make the transfer happen, Rashford has agreed to a significant wage reduction. The striker will forgo 30% of his salary. At Manchester United, he was earning around €18 million per year. Barcelona will cover 70% of that figure, while United will not pay the remaining amount—Rashford is willingly forfeiting it to facilitate his exit from Old Trafford.

Since returning from his loan at Aston Villa, Rashford had been training separately from the rest of the United squad, a situation shared by teammates Garnacho and Antony. Reports suggest that manager Rúben Amorim scheduled their sessions after 5 p.m. to avoid interaction with the team, intensifying pressure on them to leave.

A product of United’s academy, Rashford made his senior debut in 2016. Before his brief spell at Villa under Unai Emery last January, he had made 426 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 138 goals and registering 60 assists. While he delivered standout seasons—such as 2020–21 with 33 goal contributions and 2022–23 with 30 goals—his form declined amid the club's ongoing struggles.