
EPL Index
·19 Juli 2025
David Ornstein: Barcelona in advanced talks over loan deal with Man United

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·19 Juli 2025
Marcus Rashford looks set to join Barcelona on loan, with David Ornstein of The Athletic reporting that Manchester United have agreed in principle to a deal involving a season-long loan with an option to buy. While the move is not yet finalised, talks between the clubs and Rashford’s representatives are said to be in their closing stages.
Barcelona’s offer, made through intermediaries, gives the Spanish giants a chance to test Rashford’s fit in Hansi Flick’s squad while navigating their well-documented financial constraints. It’s a creative move from a club in need of attacking reinforcements, especially on the left wing.
Flick, who has spoken directly with Rashford, has reportedly approved his signing. “This is what we have talked about with the club,” Flick said in May. “In the last matches maybe we did not have a lot of options in that position… so we have to bring more options to the team and more quality. This is the job from Deco, is clear, and I will support him.”
United’s decision to green-light the deal is notable. While Rashford has long been seen as a symbol of the club’s academy success, his recent trajectory has been far from stable. He last featured for United in a Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen in December 2024, before being omitted from Premier League action by manager Ruben Amorim.
In a December interview, Rashford declared: “I’m ready for a new challenge.” That challenge may now lie in Catalonia, where Deco has maintained an ongoing interest. Talks involving Rashford’s brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, have taken place in Barcelona.
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Rashford had a brief spell at Aston Villa last season, scoring four goals in 17 appearances before a hamstring injury ended his campaign early. He was subsequently left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for fixtures against Andorra and Senegal.
Rashford’s hefty wage — reported at over £325,000 per week — is a significant factor in this negotiation. Villa covered around 75% of his salary during his loan stint, and Barcelona’s loan proposal is believed to offer similar cost-sharing, helping them manage financial fair play obligations.
Barcelona had also explored other options. Personal terms were agreed with Nico Williams, who ultimately stayed at Athletic Club, while Liverpool rebuffed interest in Luis Díaz. “I don’t want to speak about players which are not in my team,” Flick said, “but of course Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford are fantastic players. I like them and we’ll see what happens.”
With 426 appearances and 138 goals for United since his debut in 2015, Rashford remains a key figure in the club’s recent history. But it’s clear that both club and player are open to parting ways — even if only temporarily. Rashford returned to Carrington on July 8 for individual training, but notably hasn’t rejoined first-team sessions.
From a Manchester United fan perspective, this news will stir mixed emotions. On the one hand, Marcus Rashford is a homegrown talent, a local lad who has carried the club’s badge with pride — especially during his explosive rise in 2016. His tally of 138 goals is nothing short of impressive, and many fans hoped he’d remain central to United’s rebuild under Ruben Amorim.
But equally, there’s growing acceptance that a change might serve all parties well. Rashford’s form over the past 24 months has been inconsistent, marked by injuries and tactical mismatches. His loan to Aston Villa offered only flashes of his potential, and his exclusion from England duty raised further questions about his long-term role at the elite level.
Barcelona may be the right environment to reignite his fire. A loan with an option to buy gives United flexibility: if Rashford flourishes, his market value rises, and the door to a more lucrative sale. For fans, it’s less about bitterness and more about hope: hope that a once-iconic No.10 can rediscover his form, even if it’s away from Old Trafford.
If Rashford shines at the Camp Nou, few United fans would begrudge him that success. But they’ll also expect the club to reinvest wisely and move forward decisively in the post-Rashford era.