Barcelona are reportedly pushing to turn Marcus Rashford's loan move into a permanent transfer, with manager Hansi Flick making the Manchester United forward a primary target for the Catalan giants.
Flick's Priority and Barcelona's Transfer Push
According to emerging reports, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has instructed the club to prioritise securing Rashford's signature on a full-time basis. The La Liga leaders are said to be actively working on a deal to ensure the England international remains at Camp Nou beyond the expiry of his current season-long loan this summer.
The 28-year-old joined Barcelona during the last transfer window after falling out of favour at Old Trafford under United boss Ruben Amorim, which had previously led to a short stint at Aston Villa. Despite Barcelona's well-documented financial challenges, sources indicate the club could make the move permanent for a fee in the region of £26 million.
Rashford's Form and Future Stance
Since his high-profile switch to Spain, Rashford has rediscovered his form, contributing seven goals and eight assists in his first 24 appearances for Barcelona. Impressively, four of those goals have come in the Champions League, showcasing his impact on the European stage.
In a recent interview with SPORT, Rashford made his feelings unequivocally clear about his future. "I'm adapting very well to the club and the city," he stated. "For me, the reason I'm here is to help the team win trophies... I can't complain. Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca."
He emphasised that the demanding environment at Barcelona is exactly what he needs as a player, saying, "I can't be in a place where important objectives are not demanded of you. I'm in the perfect place and environment to continue my journey."
What Happens Next?
The ball now appears to be in Barcelona's court. With Flick's clear desire to keep the player and Rashford's own publicly stated ambition to build a career at the club, the focus shifts to whether the Spanish side can finalise a permanent agreement with Manchester United.
Rashford's loan deal is set to conclude at the end of the current season, meaning negotiations are likely to intensify in the coming months. His performances have evidently convinced the Barcelona hierarchy, setting the stage for a significant summer transfer saga involving one of England's most prominent forwards.
