Barcelona exploring new formula to sign Marcus Rashford permanently | OneFootball

Barcelona are intensifying their efforts to secure the permanent signing of Marcus Rashford after internal discussions pushed the English forward back to the top of the club’s attacking shortlist.

According to SPORT, Barcelona had initially started cooling their interest because of the financial demands involved in the operation. 

However, recent evaluations of alternative attacking targets have failed to fully convince Hansi Flick, who now sees Rashford as one of the strongest options available to strengthen the frontline.

The Marcus Rashford Barcelona transfer story has, therefore, reopened in a serious way.

It is known that  Rashford is fully committed to making the move happen and has already shown significant flexibility regarding financial conditions. 

Rashford wants to stay at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The English international is prepared to accept a salary reduction while also agreeing to spread contractual payments across a longer-term deal in order to help Barcelona financially.

However, the biggest obstacle remains Manchester United.

And why is that?

The Premier League side remained extremely firm during negotiations that €30 million transfer fee must be paid in case Barcelona want to keep Rashford. 

United are also said to have rejected the possibility of extending Rashford’s current loan arrangement because they want a definitive separation from the player.

Furthermore, the English club believe Rashford’s market value is comfortably above €30 million and point out that Barça would already benefit from flexible payment terms spread over three years.

Barcelona are working on a new formula. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Even so, Barcelona’s sporting department are now studying a different strategy that could dramatically change the structure of the operation.

A new strategy

As per the outlet, the alternative currently being explored would involve another temporary loan agreement combined with a mandatory purchase option in 2027.

Under this formula, Barcelona would delay the major financial payment by another season while also potentially reducing the final transfer cost because Rashford would only have one year remaining on his Manchester United contract at that stage.

For Barça, it would ease immediate Financial Fair Play pressure while allowing the club to continue strengthening other positions this summer. 

Secondly, it would also reduce the economic risk attached to a permanent transfer while still guaranteeing Rashford’s long-term continuity at Spotify Camp Nou.