Barcelona have reportedly agreed to a season-long loan deal for Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, marking what could become their third major signing of the summer. The England international will join the Blaugrana with an option for a permanent transfer in 2026, as confirmed by multiple sources, including Fabrizio Romano.
Rashford Chooses Barcelona Over Other Suitors
After a difficult season at Old Trafford, Rashford was reportedly keen on a fresh challenge, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination. The La Liga champions had initially targeted Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, but as reported by The Athletic, the Reds’ £50m+ valuation forced Barça to shift focus.
With personal terms swiftly agreed, Rashford is expected to travel to Catalonia soon for his medical before joining Hansi Flick’s squad for their pre-season tour in Japan and South Korea.
Financial Challenges & Rashford’s Wage Sacrifice
Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles meant this deal required creative structuring. According to David Ornstein, the Catalan giants will cover 100% of Rashford’s wages—a key factor in United’s approval. However, Sport revealed that the 27-year-old agreed to a 30% pay cut to facilitate the move.
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Previous Salary at Man Utd: €18m/year
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Adjusted Salary at Barça: €10m/year (as per Ben Jacobs)
This reduction helps Barcelona comply with La Liga’s financial regulations, though they must still offload players to register both Rashford and new signing Joan García (from Espanyol).
What Rashford Brings to Barcelona
Rashford’s versatility, pace, and experience make him a valuable addition to Flick’s attack. Capable of playing on the left wing or as a central striker, he could form a dynamic partnership with Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres.
However, questions remain over his consistency after a dip in form last season. As noted by ESPN, his work rate and decision-making will need to improve to thrive in Barcelona’s possession-heavy system.
What’s Next for Man United?
With Rashford departing, Erik ten Hag may now accelerate moves for a replacement. Sky Sports links United with PSG’s Xavi Simons and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, while Alejandro Garnacho could see increased playing time.
Meanwhile, Barcelona must finalize sales—players like Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, and Raphinha could be moved on to balance the books.
