Rashford ‘open to Man United return’, new transfer valuation, replacement twist


Marcus Rashford has got his career back on track but where he’ll be playing next season remains up in the air

Nearing 18 months since Marcus Rashford’s last Manchester United appearance, his relationship with the club remains intact – at least contractually.

The England star has enjoyed an impressive season on loan at Barcelona with 10 goals and 13 assists in 39 games across all competitions. Having already won the Spanish Super Cup, the La Liga champions are on course to retain their title and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Rashford hasn’t shied away from admitting his desire to remain in Catalonia for the long haul, but whether United and Barca can come to an agreement over his uncertain future is another matter.

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Potential United return

The 28-year-old hasn’t played for United since December 2024 when appearing in their 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Admitting he was ready for a new challenge while still a United player, it did seem that once he left the club, a return to Old Trafford would likely be improbable.

However, with speculation suggesting Barcelona could look to renegotiate the terms of his £26million buy option, United bosses are reportedly holding firm on the price tag and would even allow for Rashford’s return if the option isn’t triggered.

According to ESPN, Rashford would prefer to remain at Barcelona but hasn’t yet closed the door on a stunning return to Manchester. A reintegration back into the first team is still considered an unlikely scenario with the club targeting a left winger in the summer transfer window.

New transfer valuation

Despite reports of Barcelona aiming to negotiate down the £26m purchase option, top figures at United believe their academy graduate’s value has skyrocketed since his move abroad.

Thanks to his return to form, especially on the European stage, Mirror Football reported how United officials place Rashford’s price tag nearer to £50m, with numerous clubs showing interest in signing him this summer.

Given the staggering difference in both clubs’ value of the winger, it remains to be seen whether they could come to an agreement on the price, but the Catalan giants could hold an advantage given Rashford has already admitted his desire to continue his career at the Camp Nou.

Replacement options

With Rashford’s future currently up in the air, Spanish news outlet Marca has reported that Barcelona’s sporting director Deco is evaluating possible alternatives to signing the Englishman on a permanent deal this summer and replacing him in the squad.

Should Rashford not secure a long-term move to the Catalan giants at the end of the season, one such player reportedly identified as his replacement is Benfica star Andreas Schjelderup. The 21-year-old has scored seven goals this season and went as far as to publicly express his delight in being linked to the club.

Addressing the rumours, the left winger said in a recent interview with Norwegian TV channel TV2: “The truth is I didn’t know anything about this, but if it were true, it would be fantastic.”

With Barcelona essentially being given the green light by Schjelderup, they certainly have a big decision to weigh up. A seven-year age difference to Rashford could prove to be crucial.

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Man Utd willing to grant Marcus Rashford wish as Barcelona could lose out


Marcus Rashford is on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United with the La Liga giants holding a £26million option to sign him permanently this summer

Manchester United are reportedly confident they can secure a permanent sale of Marcus Rashford this summer. The forward made clear his wish to leave Old Trafford last summer, eventually sealing a season-long loan move to Barcelona.

Rashford has thrived during his time at the Nou Camp, notching 10 goals and 13 assists for the La Liga giants. Throughout the campaign, speculation has been swirling over whether Rashford will make his move to Barcelona permanent or return to United once his loan spell concludes.

Barcelona hold an option to sign Rashford on a permanent basis for £26million, though recent reports indicate the Spanish giants are yet to reach a decision on the England international’s future.

A fresh report from Sky Sports has now claimed that United are targeting more than £100million in player sales this summer. Rashford is amongst those United are keen to sell permanently, with Barcelona still eyeing a move for the winger once his loan deal expires.

READ MORE: Man Utd offered Marcus Rashford transfer hint as Barcelona offer ‘welcomed’READ MORE: Casemiro says ‘my wife cried’ after agreeing contract change with Manchester United

The La Liga giants can acquire Rashford for £26m this summer, though there are suggestions that Barcelona may look to renegotiate the terms, either pushing for a reduced fee or opting for a further loan arrangement instead.

However, the aforementioned report states that United have no plans to renegotiate with Barcelona over the £26m fee, and are “confident” they could agree a higher fee with another club if they need to.

It has also been claimed that United and Rashford are prepared to work in the summer to ensure the England international manages to secure a permanent move away from Old Trafford.

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Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte, Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee are among the players United are reportedly looking to sell in order to raise funds for their own new signings this summer. Rashford has previously made no secret of his desire to remain at Barcelona beyond the length of his loan deal.

“Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca,” Rashford previously told Sport. “It’s an end goal, but it’s not the reason why I’m training hard and giving it my best.

“The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles.”

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Man United and Rashford can breathe a sigh of relief as Barcelona ‘not won over’


Marcus Rashford has already expressed his feelings towards Barcelona, but the England international is still waiting for the club to make a decision

Manchester United’s hopes of a cash windfall for selling Marcus Rashford have been given a boost with one alternative to the English forward yet to convince Barcelona. Rashford wants to move to the Catalan club permanently but they are making contingency plans in case they opt against triggering the £26million clause in his loan deal.

Rashford’s long-term future is set to be resolved soon, with a permanent departure from Manchester United looking likely. The 28-year-old has spent this season on loan at Barcelona.

However, despite recent reports claiming Barcelona will only make a final decision at the end of the season, sporting director Deco is already working behind the scenes to prepare for next year. According to Spanish outlet Sport, strengthening the forward department is a key priority and he has other names they could target instead of Rashford.

Alongside Rashford, the club are also exploring younger attacking options, including Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup and Osasuna’s Victor Munoz, while Jan Virgili is viewed as a player who could be brought back from Mallorca.

Virgili, who previously spent time in Barcelona’s youth setup and their ‘B’ team, was sold by the club for €4million last year, with Barca retaining 40 per cent of a future sale and a buy‑back clause.

He could now be brought back for a reported €12m (£10m) – a far smaller fee than what the Spanish giants would need to pay for Rashford.

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However, the same report notes that Barca view Virgili as a ‘rough diamond’, who looks to be way behind in the running against Rashford, with club chiefs ‘not convinced by him’ at this stage in his career.

It’s also said the youngster’s defensive capabilities have been questioned, and while Rashford is said not to ‘stand out’ in the same area, his aerial game is viewed as valuable for Hansi Flick.

The England international is also a player who will eventually have to replace Raphinha, and having those qualities is very important. The fact that Barcelona chiefs are sceptical about Virgili is good news for Rashford and United, with the English forward having one less player to worry about taking his spot next season.

United want to cash in while Rashford has already made it clear that he’d love to make his move permanent. Barca are yet to fully commit to paying the £26m and have explored ways of driving the price down, however, the Reds are digging in their heels in and refusing to budge.

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What comes next for Rashford is still uncertain at this stage. The logic behind giving him another chance, especially if Michael Carrick is appointed permanently, has been questioned.

But a return to Old Trafford seems very unlikely at this stage. Rashford himself, meanwhile, has already made his intentions clear that he would like to complete the permanent move to Catalonia. “Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca,” he previously told Sport.

“It’s an end goal, but it’s not the reason why I’m training hard and giving it my best. The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles.”

Rashford has scored 10 goals and provided 13 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish champions.

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Keep, sell, loan – What next for seven United loanees from Sancho to Hojlund


Manchester United have seven players who have featured in the first team out on loan this season

Manchester United have turned a corner this season on the pitch. After a disappointing start under Ruben Amorim’s management, Michael Carrick’s appointment has led to the Reds making a charge for the Premier League’s top four. As we head into the final stretch of the season, United are well placed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Carrick’s side have a six-point cushion on fifth place Liverpool although finishing fifth could still be enough to make the Champions League, depending on how English clubs do in Europe between now and the end of the season. Such form has meant the Reds have not missed any of their first team players who are out on loan.

In total, seven players who have featured for the first team in some capacity, have been loaned out over the course of this season. With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at each of them and weighed up what the club should do this summer.

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Andre Onana

After the Grimsby disaster, Onana needed to leave. He has spent the campaign on loan at Trabzonspor and has not done anything there to suggest he should be kept by United.

Senne Lammens is a more than capable first choice for now and the future. Onana’s wage means he would be too expensive to be a back-up to the Belgian.

Trabzonspor have suggested it would be out of their price range to sign Onana permanently. But a United departure must be agreed this summer.

Our verdict: Sell

Jadon Sancho

Sancho’s time at United is up. The loan spell at Aston Villa – whether impressive or not – was not going to change that. As it happens, the winger has struggled in a good season for Villa. United would not look to reintegrate him into the first team and it is a sad end to what was such a promising signing at one stage. His deal expires at the end of the season and that should be the end of this chapter.

Our verdict: Release

Marcus Rashford

Like Sancho, it seems the hope of keeping Rashford has gone. His form has slowed at Barcelona but he has still posted good figures. Ten goals and 13 assists this season is not bad and United do need a left winger. However, too much has happened to repair the relationship between the forward and the club. Selling him to Barcelona for £25m would be best for all parties.

Our verdict: Sell

Rasmus Hojlund

This decision has been taken out of the hands of United. Napoli are under the impression they will sign him in the summer after reaching the criteria for a buy clause.

One of the criteria is believed to be if Napoli qualify for the Champions League, Hojlund would sign permanently. They are eight points clear of fifth place Juventus so that seems likely to be reached.

If, for some reason, Hojlund returns to Old Trafford, United must look to sell him. There should be plenty of suitors in Italy and he is now behind Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo in the pecking order.

Our verdict: Sell

Ethan Wheatley

Wheatley gained a taste of first team football last season when he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at League Two club Walsall. He did not score but earned himself a loan move to League One Northampton Town last summer.

In the first half of this season, he scored three goals in 22 League One appearances before joining fellow League One club Bradford City in January. Wheatley has made 11 appearances for the promotion chasing side but has yet to score for them.

The 20-year-old may not make it into the United first team but has a contract until 2028. Maybe another loan move at the top of League One next season would give him further opportunity to progress.

Our verdict: Loan

Toby Collyer

It has been an unfortunate season for the 22-year-old. Like Wheatley, Collyer has had two loan spells this season at West Bromwich Albion and Hull City.

The stint in the Championship with West Brom was cut short due to injury but did not stop promotion-chasing Hull from signing him in January. Collyer has had a bit-part role with the Tigers so far but with the play-offs a possibility, the defensive midfielder has a chance of gaining more minutes as the season wears on.

Collyer deserves another shot at the Championship when he is fully fit. Next season will be huge for him as United weigh up whether to give him a new deal or not.

Our verdict: Loan

Harry Amass

Amass suffered his first major injury of his career following his debut for Norwich City against Coventry. Before that, the 19-year-old made himself a man in demand with a great spell at struggling Sheffield Wednesday.

He picked up the player of the month award for the Owls and looked to relish the chance to play regular senior football. The teenager may return from injury before the end of the season.

Should he return to fitness, there will be a temptation to keep Amass at Old Trafford next season and see how he performs with the first team group. It could also allow Diego Leon a chance to taste European football with a loan of his own.

Our verdict: Keep

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Marcus Rashford makes major change after Barcelona punishment and Man Utd stance


The England international is determined to avoid any further punishments as Barcelona prepare to make a decision at the end of the season

Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford has made a significant change after being punished by Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick. Last September, the England international was disciplined for arriving two minutes late to a team meeting, which led to him being dropped to the bench for their La Liga clash with Getafe.

Despite reports claiming his security card malfunctioned, he was left out of the starting XI. Flick had instructed players to attend a 9:30am meeting on the morning of the game, followed by an ‘activation session’ at 11am.

However, sources close to Rashford confirmed he did not arrive until 9:32am, prompting Flick to enforce his strict punctuality rule. The German coach is known for his zero‑tolerance approach to lateness, with players regularly dropped for arriving even a minute or two behind schedule.

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At the time, Flick opted instead for a front three of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Raphinha, with them going on to win 3-0 at the Nou Camp.

Rashford quickly learned to make sure the same mistake wouldn’t happen again and now arrives 30 minutes early according to the Daily Mail.

Rashford has settled in well in Catalonia after a difficult spell under former United boss Ruben Amorim.

The forward was dropped by the Portuguese coach, which led to a brief loan move to Aston Villa before he completed a season‑long switch to the Spanish giants.

With his loan now nearing its end, Barca have the option to make the move permanent for £26million but his long‑term future remains far from certain.

Reports suggest the La Liga giants are not planning to make a decision until the end of the season.

As for a potential return to Old Trafford, the Daily Mail adds that even with a regime change at United, a summer reconciliation is far from guaranteed.

His reported £325,000‑a‑week wages ‘do not fit comfortably’ within the current Old Trafford structure, which leans heavily toward incentive‑based contracts with lower basic salaries.

It’s also noted that if a permanent move to the Camp Nou does not materialise, a loan elsewhere remains an option and with the World Cup approaching, that could offer him a valuable chance to impress potential suitors.

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Rashford future verdict – Barca transfer question, United call, World Cup chance


Marcus Rashford faces a big summer for club and country with a Manchester United exit likely

Marcus Rashford started for England on Friday night in their friendly draw with Uruguay ahead of a big few months for the forward.

Rashford is on loan at La Liga giants Barcelona with an option to make the move permanent. He will also hope to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup in North America this summer.

United want to bank at least £26m for Rashford. That is the fee that Barcelona must pay to make the 28-year-old’s move to the Nou Camp permanent and although there have been reports in Spain that the Catalan club are keen to renegotiate, United officials insist that is a non-starter.

If Barcelona turn their backs on that deal, Rashford will return to United, but having had a good season in La Liga, there is confidence that other clubs would be willing to match that asking price to sign the attacker.

So what next for Rashford in the coming weeks and months? We asked our writers for their thoughts.

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Jack Flintham

The ship has sailed for Rashford at United and that should be seen as a failure for all concerned. From United’s perspective, the forward should have been a one-man club for the remainder of his career.

At times, he was comfortably one of the Premier League’s best forwards but previous managers’ unhealthy urge to shoehorn him into the centre-forward role clipped his momentum. Instead of properly addressing that position, they forced Rashford into that role and he subsequently faltered.

However, the demise of Rashford’s career is not solely on the club. The winger must take responsibility for some of his actions during his time at United. Ruben Amorim has his faults but considering some of the half-hearted performances we saw during the final months of Rashford’s United career, it’s not hard to believe the 28-year-old had clocked out of training.

The Reds need a left winger in the summer and I understand the logic behind giving Rashford another chance, especially if Michael Carrick is appointed permanently. His management style could suit the forward.

But too much water is under the bridge now and United must look to the future, while learning lessons from this chapter.

Aaron Morris

Though it looked increasingly likely that Rashford had found his new forever home with Barcelona earlier this season, the future of the on-loan Manchester United talent is now less straightforward. While the La Liga giants have the option to make his move permanent this summer for around £26m, it now appears that Barça are considering extending his loan agreement by a year.

Whether United will agree to the move remains to be seen, especially considering his current contract at Old Trafford expires in 2028. As a result, the club may hope to move him on permanently in the coming months to avoid a situation where he returns to England with just 12 months to make new arrangements, and ultimately risk losing him on a free at the end of 2027/28.

With Ruben Amorim now out of the picture and Michael Carrick temporarily in charge, there’s also the chance – no matter how slim it seems – that Rashford could enjoy a career revival with his boyhood club. Although, given the club’s current crop of talent is thriving, it is unknown where an ageing Rashford would fit into plans.

In my opinion, the best-case scenario for Rashford is Barcelona or bust. The 28-year-old has proven that he can hang with the best on Spanish soil and has been a real asset to Hansi Flick’s side. It also seems as though his ship has sailed with the Reds, and with their managerial situation beyond the current season precarious to say the least, it is unknown as to whether Carrick – or a fresh face – would get the best out of him, or simply deem him surplus to requirements like Amorim.

Mark Wakefield

Rashford certainly has a decision to make this summer, and it may not be one that he expected to have almost a year ago. The England international’s loan spell at Barcelona has gone to plan, with both parties wanting to keep Rashford at the Camp Nou beyond this season.

What may be in doubt, though, is whether Barca will be able to sign Rashford on a permanent deal. And if not, it remains to be seen if United would be open to another loan move.

If neither a permanent nor a loan move to Barcelona is possible, Rashford faces a decision on what to do next for his future.

Given the recent upturn in form at Old Trafford under interim boss Michael Carrick, there may be a temptation to try returning to United next season. It’s still probably best, though, for all parties to go their separate ways this summer. If not to Barcelona, though, the question would be which club could Rashford join?


Thomas Tuchel changes his tune on Marcus Rashford as training behaviour emerges


Marcus Rashford has given Thomas Tuchel food for thought ahead of the World Cup

Marcus Rashford has gone up in Thomas Tuchel’s estimation after impressing him during England training.

Having previously dished out some tough love, Tuchel’s attitude appeared to notably soften following Rashford’s display against Uruguay, potentially boosting his chances of securing a place in the World Cup starting line-up. Last October, Tuchel delivered a stern message to the Manchester United forward, casting doubt on whether he would realise his potential as a world-class performer.

He said: “Potential is a dangerous word with high-level sports, because you have to reach your personal best on a regular basis – that is demanded on this kind of level and that is the challenge for him. It is not a question of talent.”

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Those comments came before England’s victory in Latvia, where Rashford was notably relegated to the bench while Anthony Gordon started and scored in a 5-0 triumph. But Tuchel decided to start with Rashford against Uruguay after being impressed with his attitude and work rate on the training ground.

The German said: “He tries. He tries hard. He hasn’t started a game for a long, long time. So we gave him this because I spoke to him.

“I was very impressed with the training yesterday. It was a defensive training and he was very strong with Djed Spence on the side.

“Understanding how to initiate the press for us. He worked hard and I think he worked very hard. He just can’t get the goal that he maybe needs to be in full confidence. I’m happy with the way he tried and it was a constant threat.”

Rashford’s most recent England goal came against Serbia last September, while Tuchel may be somewhat harsh in his assessment of his playing time at Barcelona, given he last started on March 7.

However, Rashford has now returned to Tuchel’s favour, with Dom Solanke also earning plaudits alongside James Garner, whose adaptability – capable of operating at right-back and in midfield – could make him a late contender for selection.

Everton manager David Moyes has been a vocal advocate for Garner, and Tuchel has shown a notable interest in the player. The England squad approached the Uruguay fixture viewing it as an audition, with a sense that individual performances carried greater weight than the collective result.

Tuchel has indicated he got precisely what he was looking for from the Uruguay match and the preceding training sessions. Players were required to stake their claim before the established stars returned for the Japan fixture.

Tuchel added: “I was looking forward to that match, I tell you. I was looking forward because we had some good training sessions and the group was a lively group. We said to the group today do we expect everything to be perfect? Yeah, maybe yes, because we always do.

“But we are smart enough to understand. you play for the first time, you may be nervous. And you have a lot of information to take in over the last days. So it will maybe take a while and the opponents, they know what they are doing. They are playing in their best formation.

“So just keep going, stay positive. And they did. I liked the group a lot. I was excited to coach them. I was very happy when I did it. It seemed like we got a win for it.

“But it was good. It was nice. And now, of course, all the guys are now in the dressing room. It was a good atmosphere. It was nice to see everyone back and we need to make sure that they are ready now against Japan.”

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Three factors that could influence Man United’s mega-money dream transfer window


Man Utd could spend big this summer but to achieve the overhaul of the squad they want they will need everything to go their way.

“A big summer,” is how Harry Maguire described it this week. An expensive summer might be another way of looking at it. Manchester United have plenty to be busy with between the end of this season and the start of the next one.

Even leaving aside the obvious question of who will be in the dugout for 2026/27, the transfer window alone will be occupying plenty of bandwidth around Carrington at the moment. We might still be more than two months from it opening, but plans are well underway to reshape the squad.

Central midfield has been a focus this summer. If 2025 was all about overhauling the attack, then 2026 will be the year of the midfield at Old Trafford. United want at least two new signings and if Manuel Ugarte is sold, it’s not impossible that it becomes three.

But there are other areas of the squad to look at. Luke Shaw has started every Premier League game this season, but his fitness can’t be relied on, especially in a season with closer to 60 games than 40. He has little competition at the moment and is closer to the end than the start of his United career, so signing a left-back is a target for the summer.

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The same is true on the left wing. United sold Alejandro Garnacho last summer, Jadon Sancho will be released when his contract expires in June, and Marcus Rashford is also likely to depart. That is three left-wingers out the door in 12 months.

The dilemma for United is that even those four or five recruits alone are likely to see transfer fees run to £250million, maybe more if top-level targets are secured, such as Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson or Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.

Along the way, some compromise might be needed, but there are also factors within United’s control that can significantly boost their summer budget.

Firstly, returning to the Champions League would be worth more than £100 million to the club’s revenues. Under Michael Carrick, they are on track to do just that, with a cushion of seven-points to Chelsea in sixth. Returning to Europe’s top table would allow United to be considerably more aggressive in the transfer window.

Then there is the savings they are set to make on wages next season. It is clear that the direction under Ineos has been to sign younger players, and recent additions have been on lower basic salaries.

This summer will see Casemiro and Sancho both leave, with Rashford likely to follow. That would be a saving of more than £750,000-a-week, or around £40m a year. Not only would that create significant room in the budget for wages, but it would also mean some of it could be reinvested in fees.

Finally, there is the money United can raise from player sales. They are set to collect £38m from Napoli for Rasmus Hojlund, with the reigning Serie A champions on course to qualify for the Champions League themselves.

United also want to bank at least £26m for Rashford. That is the fee that Barcelona must pay to make the 28-year-old’s move to the Nou Camp permanent and although there have been reports in Spain that the Catalan club are keen to renegotiate, United officials insist that is a non-starter.

If Barcelona turn their backs on that deal, Rashford will return to United, but having had a good season in La Liga, there is confidence that other clubs would be willing to match that asking price to sign the attacker.

There is no option to buy in Andre Onana’s loan deal with Turkish side Trabzonspor, but equally, no chance that the 29-year-old resurrects his Old Trafford career. Senne Lammens is now firmly installed as the club’s No. 1 and Onana being back-up is unlikely to appeal to him, or to United, given he is paid at the level of a first-choice.

Finding a buyer for the goalkeeper might be more difficult, and there are other players who could look to move on. Joshua Zirkzee is set to push for an exit, having struggled for first-team football, while Ugarte might also be keen to strengthen his own playing time elsewhere.

The deals United can do for those fringe players will influence how they go about replacing them and the budget they will be working with this summer. It goes without saying, but bigger will be better in what will be a crucial window.

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Man Utd handed unexpected Rashford transfer twist as forward green lights move


Marcus Rashford faces an uncertain future away from Manchester United with Barcelona reportedly looking at other potential transfer targets

Benfica star Andreas Schjelderup has addressed rumours of a potential move to Barcelona amid uncertainty around Marcus Rashford’s future at the Camp Nou. Rashford is currently spending the season on loan with the La Liga giants from Manchester United and has appeared likely to leave Old Trafford on a permanent basis in the summer.

Rashford is enjoying an impressive season with Barcelona this term, scoring 10 goals across all competitions and helping guide the Spanish giants to the top of the La Liga standings and the Champions League quarter-finals.

Last summer saw Rashford express a desire to leave United, which eventually led to the England international securing a loan move to Barcelona, which includes an option to make the deal permanent for £26million (€30million).

Despite recent reports suggesting that Barcelona would exercise the option and sign Rashford permanently, there has been some fresh doubt cast over the potential deal.

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Spanish news outlet Marca has reported that Barca sporting director Deco is assessing potential alternatives to signing Rashford this summer, with several players being identified.

One such player is Schjelderup, with the Benfica star addressing the rumours in a recent interview with Norwegian TV channel TV2.

He appeared to be delighted to be linked with Barcelona. “The truth is I didn’t know anything about this, but if it were true, it would be fantastic,” Schjelderup admitted.

Schjelderup, 21, has scored seven goals across all competitions for Benfica this season and primarily plays on the left wing, the same position Rashford has for Barcelona this term.

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To add to the speculation, Barca boss Hansi Flick recently cast doubt over the club’s plans to sign Rashford on a permanent deal from United.

“We need everyone until the end, and we don’t know what will happen after that,” Flick said last week. “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.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who was recently re-elected at the club’s election, has previously admitted that the club would like Rashford to remain at the Camp Nou beyond this season.

“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.”

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL