Hansi Flick gives Marcus Rashford to Barcelona timeline as stance confirmed
Marcus Rashford could return from his loan spell at Barcelona in the summer if the La Liga giants decide against triggering their £26m buy option
Hansi Flick isn’t sure if Marcus Rashford will stay at Barcelona(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has admitted that he or the club are unsure what will happen with Marcus Rashford at the end of the season.
The forward is currently on loan at the Camp Nou from Manchester United after he was allowed to leave Old Trafford in the summer. Barcelona have the option to buy the England international for £26million at the end of the season.
Rashford has scored 10 goals and assisted a further 13 in all competitions for the Catalan side. However, he has started just once in the last seven games and been forced to sit on the bench in their convincing wins over Sevilla and Newcastle.
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A permanent move to Spain has been the most likely throughout the season, with Barca chief Deco teasing the club’s intention to keep Rashford beyond this season. However, Flick’s recent comments have placed doubt over their intentions to sign him permanently.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of their La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano, he said: “We need everyone until the end, and we don’t know what will happen after that,” he said. “There’s time. There’s a World Cup.
“I believe in my players. Cancelo, Rashford… they give us quality. And the rest, too. We’ll talk at the end and see what happens. Now is not the time to say ‘I want this one, I don’t want that one.’ Anything can happen.”
Re-elected Barca president Joan Laporta is said to be keen on extending Rashford’s loan, potentially with another temporary stay. “Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals, and Cancelo, on the other hand, is doing very well,” Laporta told RAC1.
“He has become a key player due to the injuries of both full-backs. We will try, in Barca’s interest, to ensure that Marcus can continue.”
It’s understood that United have no interest in vacating Barcelona’s hope of signing Rashford on another loan. United would be willing to take Rashford back – and sell him to the highest bidder ahead of next season.
His form in Spain has forced United chiefs to be confident of getting closer to £50m, should he return from Barcelona.
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