Barca’s Bold Bet: Can Rashford Stay Beyond the Loan as a Financial Tightrope Unfolds?

Transfer Saga: Barca’s Pursuit of Rashford

Barcelona continues to press decisively to seal Marcus Rashford’s transfer on a permanent basis after the English forward impressed since joining on loan. The club is preparing a formal offer that would include a long-term contract and a clear pay cut, aiming to keep the deal financially viable within La Liga’s limits.

According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, Rashford’s deal stands out as one of Barcelona’s notable mid-season successes, achieved thanks to his insistence on wearing the Blaugrana shirt, while also benefiting from his complicated position at Manchester United.

Yet despite broad satisfaction with his performance, the next phase will be delicate, as final decisions hinge on the Englishman’s willingness to adjust his contract to fit the club’s stringent financial policy.

Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, has previously said that final calls on some players will come at season’s end, including Rashford or others whose contracts expire like Lewandowski and Christensen.

He noted that Rashford’s case is markedly different, requiring what he called a precise “financial engineering”—a coordinated effort between the club, the player, and his agents to balance sporting ambition with budget constraints.

Reports also suggest United will not lower the release clause in Rashford’s contract, set at €35 million, a number Barcelona reportedly regards as reasonable given his current level.

The clause originated from a strained dynamic between Rashford and United coach Ruben Amorim, which opened the door to his temporary Barca departure last summer.

The biggest hurdle remains Rashford’s hefty salary. The English forward renewed with United through 2028, making him the league’s top earner at roughly €40 million per year with incentives.

Barcelona cannot shoulder that figure amid the club’s financial crisis since 2021, but Rashford agreed, during his current loan, to temporarily lower his wages to facilitate the move.

While the summer could bring lucrative offers from European and Gulf clubs, Rashford appears intent on staying in Catalonia, according to close associates.

Sources close to Rashford even opened to a long-term Barca contract through 2030, with substantial salary reductions and performance-based bonuses.

Sport argues this contract model would give him long-term financial stability and help Barca keep one of its attacking pillars without upsetting the budget.

Rashford’s season at Barcelona has been notable: five goals and seven assists so far, making him among the most involved attackers in minutes played this campaign.

German coach Hansi Flick values his ability to provide width and pace, noting he can stretch defenses even if his role shifts with returning forwards. Barcelona’s management knows final call on Rashford will be a strategic move in summer 2025, given the scarce financial room.

They worry that committing this investment could limit room to sign a true world-class center forward, a technical demand still on the books for Flick’s project.

Nevertheless, the club sees the deal as a golden investment, not only for his skill but also for a comparatively lower price in the English and Saudi markets.

Even economically and commercially, Barca’s board believes purchasing Rashford could yield sponsorship and shirt sale windfalls abroad.

Negotiations are ongoing, and an extension of the loan for another year does not seem to be on the table; both sides want a permanent arrangement.

Sporting director and the staff are expected to finalize the financial and sporting terms before season’s end so Barca can decide on final buyout.

Indications point toward agreeing to buy Rashford on a long-term deal at a reduced salary, making him a core in Barca’s new project.

Rashford’s journey began in Manchester’s academy and he broke through in 2016 with Europa League and Premier League performances, establishing himself as a versatile forward who can operate on either wing or as a main striker and earning a spot under managers like Van Gaal, Mourinho, and Solskjaer.

Internationally, he debuted for England in 2016, scoring on his first appearance against Australia, becoming the youngest scorer for the Three Lions in a senior match, later featuring in World Cups (2018, 2022) and Euro 2020 as a standout figure of his generation.

In 2025, a temporary Barcelona move opened a new chapter, helping him restore his sparkle away from United, while off the pitch he is known for charitable campaigns supporting underprivileged children, making him both a sporting and humanitarian icon.