Marcus Rashford makes Barcelona demand after talks over permanent Man Utd move
Barcelona have held further talks with Marcus Rashford’s representatives over a permanent transfer from Manchester United.
Rashford joined the Catalan giants on a season-long loan last summer, rediscovering the form that had deserted him back in Manchester in recent seasons.
Having also forced his way back into the England team, the 28-year-old has a respectable return of 10 goals and 13 assists under Hansi Flick this term, adapting well to life at the Camp Nou.
His loan deal includes the option to make the move permanent for €30million (£26m). While Michael Carrick is thought to be keen to bring Rashford back to Old Trafford if he is handed the permanent job at the end of the season, the forward has no desire to return to his parent club.
Barcelona are also keen to keep him at the club, but there has been no final decision over the arrangement.
According to Marca, talks took place on Tuesday between sporting director Deco and Rashford’s agents. While the forward’s future wasn’t the only topic discussed, both parties reiterated their desire to extend his stay.
On their side, Barcelona will attempt to negotiate a fee lower than the €30m agreed but are aware United will stand firm on that price.
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Rashford meanwhile is happy to stay on but the report does note he would like to play a more prominent role in the starting XI.
He has started 14 of Barcelona’s 25 La Liga outings this term with four starts from eight in the Champions League this season. The vast majority of those have come in his favoured role on the left with Raphinha picking up injuries this season.
While positive, the meeting did not resolve any long-term plans with a final meeting to decide Rashford’s future to take place in the coming months.
Rashford’s future in Barcelona could be further complicated by presidential elections.
Xavier Vilajoana is one of four candidates vying for the role occupied by Joan Laporta with the election at the Camp Nou to take place on 15 March.
He has already boldly vowed to sign Harry Kane from Bayern Munich but also suggested last week plans for Rashford could be reevaluated.
The presidential hopeful has instead suggested the club look ‘in-house’ to bolster their attacking options, naming the club’s former youth player Jan Virgili, now of Mallorca, as one alternative option.
‘I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I’ve always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have,” Vilajoana told ESPN of the possibility of paying Rashford’s clause.
‘For example, I want to give the example of Jan Virgili, who is currently playing for Mallorca. He’s a great winger.
‘I would maybe look at [exercising the clause to re-sign him] as an option, for example, rather than paying the Rashford clause.
‘That said, it’s not just the president who arrives and makes the decision. The president arrives, puts things on the table, alternatives are considered, it’s discussed and a decision is made.
‘What I am clear on is that if [signing Rashford] is considered to be the best decision from a sporting point of view, the money will be there to make it happen.’
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