Marcus Rashford: Barcelona’s hopes of deal with Man United ramp up | OneFootball

Manchester United are currently locked in negotiations with Barcelona over a deal for Marcus Rashford, with INEOS desperate to avoid his return this summer.

An Unwelcome Return?

Rashford joined the Blaugrana on a season-long loan after a fallout with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim led to him being ostracised from the senior squad. Despite the Portuguese tactician being shown the exit door in January, the club’s hierarchy have no interest in leaving it ajar for the 28-year-old forward to re-enter through.

Rashford’s contract remains the most expensive at Old Trafford, with a return to the Champions League next year set to trigger a 25% increase. If the loan with Barcelona is not converted into a permanent deal, United will be forced to foot the bill from mid-June.

One of INEOS’ main motivators since taking the helm after Sir Jim Ratcliffe was ratified as co-owner has been driving down the wage bill. While Rashford and Amorim undoubtedly clashed, the executive structure above them would have been all too happy to receive ammunition to pull the trigger on the England international’s time in M16.

A £26 million buy-option was included in the deal with Barcelona, as was full coverage of his salary. Earlier in the campaign, with Rashford in good form and Hansi Flick singing his loanee’s praises, it appeared a formality that the Catalan club would trigger the clause this summer.

However, a drop in performance, particularly in the heart-breaking exit to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, and a tightening in finances have thrown doubt onto this plan.

Barcelona are understood to be trying to renegotiate the deal, either in the hope of reducing the asking price or, preferably, agreeing a second loan. By contrast, United have no intention of compromising on the original agreement, as a marker that the club will no longer be taken for a ride in the transfer market.

Rashford will remain

With the two European giants at loggerheads, an uncomfortable return for Rashford at the end of the season was gaining traction. United were prepared to stomach this in order to facilitate a fresh exit elsewhere, with both Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur eyeing a swoop.

Similarly, noises emanating from Camp Nou were that alternative targets in LaLiga had been identified, while the club’s main priority was a striker, not a wide forward. However, Florian Plettenberg now claims Rashford is expected to remain in Catalonia regardless of the conflict and posturing between his parent and adopted clubs.

Tweet: “Understand Barcelona are pushing for a second loan for Marcus #Rashford. Talks with Manchester United are ongoing. Barcelona currently do not want to trigger the €30m option to buy – ideally a second loan, otherwise they want to negotiate the fee down. In any case, Rashford should stay. Approved by Hansi Flick.”

The Sky Sports reporter confirms Barcelona are “pushing for a second loan” and that negotiations are “ongoing” with the Red Devils. But if another spell cannot be agreed, the Spanish champions “want to negotiate the fee down.”

But in either scenario, Rashford “should stay” after Flick “approved” the Englishman remaining a part of his forward line next season, Plettenberg concludes.

Final Thoughts

Barcelona look increasingly primed to exploit Rashford’s wish to remain at Camp Nou in negotiations with United – with little recourse available to INEOS to counter this.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reports the Carrington graduate has no plans to return to Old Trafford, and is willing to take a further hit on his salary to facilitate a permanent switch, despite having already agreed personal terms. He is described as “convinced” he will be wearing a Barca shirt next year and is not paying any attention to interest in his services from elsewhere in Europe.

This leaves United’s negotiating position perilously weak. Neither the club nor the player have any interest in a return, while his wage packet will increase if he does. The prospect of agreeing a deal with an alternative suitor was their only bargaining tool, and Rashford has now neutered it.

Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images

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