Marcus Rashford to Barcelona: Deal Nears Completion with Loan and Buy Option

Barcelona’s pursuit of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has reached a pivotal stage, with reports indicating a verbal agreement in principle for a loan deal that includes an option to buy. The transfer, which has been brewing for months, could see the 27-year-old England international don the Blaugrana shirt for the 2025-26 season, with medical tests potentially scheduled in the coming days. Here’s a detailed look at the transfer saga, the current state of negotiations, and what this move could mean for both clubs and Rashford himself.

A Long-Standing Interest

Barcelona’s interest in Marcus Rashford is not new. The LaLiga champions have had the versatile forward on their radar since January 2025, when they first explored a loan move but were unable to finalize due to financial constraints. At the time, Rashford was sent on loan to Aston Villa, where he rediscovered some of his best form, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 17 appearances under Unai Emery. Despite Villa’s option to buy for £40 million, they did not pursue a permanent deal, leaving the door open for Barcelona to reignite their interest.

Since then, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick have prioritized Rashford as a key target to bolster their attacking options, particularly on the left wing, where they felt short of depth last season. Flick, who has spoken directly with Rashford, sees the Englishman as a flexible option capable of playing across the front three or as a deputy to Robert Lewandowski. With Liverpool’s Luis Diaz deemed unattainable and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams signing a new long-term deal, Rashford has emerged as Barcelona’s top choice.

The Deal: Loan with a Buy Option

According to multiple sources, including The Athletic and Football Today, Barcelona and Manchester United are in the final stages of negotiations for a season-long loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer. This structure suits Barcelona’s financial reality, as LaLiga’s strict financial fair play rules limit their ability to pay large upfront transfer fees. Manchester United, who initially preferred a permanent sale for around £40-48 million (€40-50 million), have softened their stance and are now open to a loan, provided the terms are favorable.

The proposed deal includes a loan fee, estimated to be between £5-10 million, with Barcelona covering a significant portion of Rashford’s £325,000-per-week salary. Rashford, keen on the move to Catalonia, is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the transfer, a gesture that underscores his desire to join the reigning LaLiga champions. The option to buy, while not mandatory, would allow Barcelona to assess Rashford’s impact before committing to a permanent deal, potentially in the range of £40 million.

While some reports, such as one from football-espana.net, suggest Rashford could travel to Catalonia in the next few hours for medical tests, others indicate that minor details—such as the exact loan fee and the structure of the buy option—are still being finalized. Manchester United are expected to authorize Rashford’s travel to Spain once these terms are agreed upon, potentially within the next 24-48 hours.

Challenges and Complications

Despite the optimism, several hurdles remain. Barcelona’s financial difficulties mean they may need to offload a player to accommodate Rashford’s wages, even with a potential pay cut. The club’s recent history of struggling to register players due to LaLiga’s financial regulations adds another layer of complexity. Additionally, Manchester United’s preference for a permanent sale could lead to last-minute negotiations over the buy option, with the Red Devils reportedly favoring an obligation to buy rather than a non-binding clause.

Rashford’s camp has also set demands, including assurances from Barcelona about playing time and his role in Flick’s system, given the competition from established stars like Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Earlier reports from El Nacional suggested that Barcelona’s young midfield trio—Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Pedri—expressed reservations about signing Rashford in January, though Flick’s approval and Rashford’s recent performances at Villa have seemingly swayed the club’s decision-makers.

Rashford’s Motivation and Fit

For Rashford, the move to Barcelona represents a chance to revive his career at one of the world’s biggest clubs. After a turbulent 18 months at Manchester United, where his work rate and desire were questioned, and a fallout with manager Rúben Amorim led to his exclusion from the first team, Rashford showed signs of rediscovery at Aston Villa. His versatility, pace, and goal-scoring ability make him an attractive fit for Flick’s high-pressing, dynamic system.

Barcelona believe Rashford can thrive under new management, with Flick’s track record of revitalizing attacking players at Bayern Munich cited as a key factor. The opportunity to play Champions League football and compete for trophies aligns with Rashford’s stated ambitions, and his dream of playing for Barcelona—a club he has publicly admired—adds a personal dimension to the transfer.

Manchester United’s Perspective

At Manchester United, Rashford’s departure seems inevitable. The academy graduate, who has made 426 appearances and scored 138 goals for the club since his debut in 2015, is no longer part of Amorim’s long-term plans. The decision to strip Rashford of the No. 10 shirt, now assigned to new signing Matheus Cunha, and to delay his return to pre-season training to allow him to explore transfer options, underscores United’s intent to move on.

The Red Devils are already eyeing replacements, with names like Cunha and Ipswich’s Liam Delap linked. A permanent sale would provide funds to bolster their squad, but a loan with a potential buy option offers flexibility, especially if Barcelona or another club meet their valuation next summer.

What’s Next?

As of July 19, 2025, the transfer is on the cusp of completion, with Barcelona and Manchester United working to finalize the finer details. If all goes smoothly, Rashford could undergo medical tests in Catalonia within days and join Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia, starting next week. However, given Barcelona’s financial constraints and the need to balance their wage bill, there remains a slim chance of complications.

The sentiment on X reflects the buzz around the deal, with posts from reliable sources like Matte Moretto and Fabrizio Romano confirming Rashford’s priority for Barcelona and Flick’s approval. However, earlier unverified claims of personal terms being agreed or medicals being imminent have not been fully substantiated, suggesting fans should await official confirmation from the clubs.

Impact and Expectations

If the transfer goes through, Rashford’s arrival at Barcelona could be a game-changer. For Barcelona, he offers a proven Premier League talent with the potential to rediscover his peak form in a new environment. For Rashford, it’s a chance to prove himself on a global stage and re-enter the England conversation ahead of the 2026 World Cup, especially after missing recent international call-ups due to a hamstring injury.

For Manchester United, offloading Rashford—while bittersweet for a homegrown star—frees up wages and space for Amorim to reshape the squad. The coming days will be crucial, but all signs point to Rashford donning the Blaugrana colors soon, marking a new chapter in his career.