Marcus Rashford will not be joining Barcelona for £26m this summer, as the Spanish champions are reportedly set to walk away from the permanent transfer option. The England international has already removed any reference to the Catalan club from his Instagram bio, signaling the end of his loan spell.
Barcelona's decision
The 28-year-old forward is expected to return to Old Trafford following this summer's World Cup, unless Manchester United can broker a transfer with another interested party. The option to sign him permanently is understood to expire on Monday, just two days before England's opening Group L clash against Croatia.
Barcelona have effectively chosen Anthony Gordon ahead of Rashford, having wrapped up a £60m deal with Newcastle United late last month. According to Spain-based media outlet Marca, the relationship between Rashford and Barcelona is firmly over, with the club drawing a line under last season's loan arrangement.
Financial and tactical factors
Gordon's arrival signaled that Barcelona's appetite for signing Rashford permanently had been cooling for some time. Both players operate in the same position, with Raphinha set to lead the line as the first-choice striker. The financial implications of Gordon's signing also played a significant role, as both players would command broadly similar annual figures including wages.
Gordon, however, is three-and-a-half years younger than Rashford and offers greater pressing intensity — a quality coach Hansi Flick prizes highly. The coach's viewpoint is understood to have been pivotal in their decision to decline the option. Doubts are said to have begun emerging within the club's sporting directorate, which includes Deco and Flick.
Rashford's future
Rashford has been chatting to Gordon about Barcelona while in England's camp, despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future. Gordon told talkSPORT: "He was just telling me how good the lads are there, the team spirit that they have, which I heard already from the people in Barca. So I'm really looking forward to joining up with them. He was also telling me about the city, places to live. He's a lovely guy, very caring."
Rashford made clear as far back as October last year that he was keen to remain at Barcelona. When asked directly during an ESPN interview, he replied: "Oh yeah, for sure. I'm enjoying this football club, and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player, it is an honour."
Now, Rashford must find a new club after the World Cup, with a return to Manchester United the most likely outcome unless another suitor emerges.
