Manchester United star ‘has met’ with Barcelona over summer move | OneFootball

Barcelona Plot Loan Move for Marcus Rashford Amid Summer Restructure

Barcelona Step Up Interest as Options Narrow

Barcelona’s transfer machinery is already whirring into motion before the summer window officially opens, and among the most intriguing developments is their growing interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. As reported by Sport, Deco met with Rashford’s agent in a Barcelona hotel on Wednesday morning to explore a potential loan move for the England international.

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This isn’t a new name on Barcelona’s radar. Rashford was highlighted as a primary target back in January, but a proposed move broke down due to the club’s financial fair play restrictions. Now, with Luis Díaz’s arrival considered highly unlikely due to cost, Rashford has re-emerged as a more attainable option.

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Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Rashford is “desperate to wear the Blaugrana shirt,” and the potential for a loan deal, likely with a purchase option, is viewed internally at Barça as both pragmatic and opportunistic.

Financial Factors and Fit Make Rashford a Viable Target

What makes Rashford appealing is not just his footballing profile – pace, directness, and versatility across the forward line – but the feasibility of acquiring him without heavy upfront investment. Barcelona do not view the United man as a cornerstone signing, but rather as a calculated risk with potentially high reward.

Internally, the view is clear: if Rashford excels, they can consider buying him outright in 2026. If not, they can cut ties with minimal cost. One source at the club described the idea as “a win-win situation”.

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His recent loan spell at Aston Villa, though disrupted by injury in the final weeks, was largely positive. He played a regular role under Unai Emery, registering crucial goals and assists and offering a glimpse of the Rashford many in England believe still exists beneath a fog of inconsistency.

Manchester United Ready to Sell but Expect Resistance

With a contract at Old Trafford running until 2028, Rashford’s exit will not be straightforward. However, Sport reports that United are prepared to offload him for around €40 million (£34 million) as he is not in the plans of head coach Rúben Amorim.

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The challenge lies in Rashford’s willingness to wait and potentially push back against proposals from other clubs, in hopes that Barcelona’s interest formalises into something concrete. United may be forced into compromise if the player declines other offers.

He is also said to be open to reducing his wages to make a deal possible, underlining his keenness to reset outside England after a difficult period in Manchester.

Flick and Deco Give Green Light

What could be crucial is the shared belief in Rashford’s potential from both Deco and new head coach Hansi Flick. The German is said to value Rashford’s verticality and positional flexibility, qualities Barcelona have lacked at times this season.

“In the last few games we have probably lacked options on the left wing. We need to bring in more variety and more quality in that area,” Flick admitted recently. Rashford’s profile fits the need perfectly, and with Barcelona’s economic restraints still biting, his affordability becomes a major asset.

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While there are hurdles to overcome – particularly related to United’s stance and Barcelona’s wage structure – the willingness on all sides makes this a move worth monitoring closely. It would require patience and tactical negotiations, but the conditions are in place for serious progression.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This report feels like the inevitable conclusion to a drawn-out decline in Rashford’s status at Old Trafford. There’s a sadness in that. He was once their talisman, the poster boy of the academy system, the symbol of hope in a chaotic post-Ferguson era. But football is ruthless, and so is this club when a player stops delivering.

What will sting more is that this isn’t a mega-money sale or a marquee swap – it’s a loan being discussed. A loan, with an option to buy, to a European rival trying to fix their own mess. That tells you how far Rashford has fallen in the eyes of United’s hierarchy.

Still, if Rúben Amorim doesn’t rate him, and if Rashford truly wants out, this could work for all parties. If he flourishes in Spain, the value might rise again. If not, United save a significant wage and clear room in a squad needing new direction.

There will be disappointment, no doubt. But maybe, just maybe, this is the clean break both sides need.