Barcelona are keen on turning Marcus Rashford’s temporary stay at Camp Nou into something permanent as part of a strategy to reinforce their attacking arsenal and have targeted Manchester United forward Hansi Flick as one of their key targets in 2026.
Rashford has quickly settled in Spain and become an essential figure to both his teammates and coaching staff due to his outstanding performances on and off the pitch. His contributions on and off the pitch make him an essential piece in Barcelona’s plans on their left flank attack for future success.
Rashford’s Impact at Barcelona
The 28-year-old attacker has been in fine form this season, with his contributions including six goals and seven assists in just 14 appearances. His ability to play in various positions and his knack for finding the back of the net has earned him high praise from Flick, who has actively pushed for the club to secure Rashford’s services permanently.
However, the financial aspect of the deal presents a significant challenge. Rashford’s current earnings at Manchester United pose a problem due to Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints. To navigate this, Barcelona is considering structuring a deal that would offer a lower base salary complemented by performance-based bonuses and image rights incentives.
Competition for Rashford’s Signature
Barcelona may offer less than Rashford’s EUR35 million release clause but is certainly not alone in their pursuit. Numerous top European clubs – Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Inter Milan Chelsea Arsenal are keeping tabs on Rashford’s situation as Chelsea Arsenal could bring him back into Premier League play and could sign him. Yet Barcelona remains hopeful due to Rashford’s relationship with Flick and preference to remain playing Spanish football.
Rashford’s renewed sense of motivation and value at Barcelona makes the club his preferred option, giving hope that a long-term agreement may be possible regarding financial arrangements to secure his stay permanently.