Rashford Edges Closer to Barcelona Switch Amid Manchester United Exit Talks

Marcus Rashford is edging toward a move to Barcelona, with the Manchester United forward keen on a fresh start away from Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old England international has reportedly made the Spanish champions his preferred destination after expressing a desire to seek new opportunities last December, following his omission from the squad by United boss Ruben Amorim.

According to sources close to the negotiations, preliminary discussions have been held via intermediaries, with growing optimism that an agreement can be struck. The proposed deal would initially see Rashford join Barça on loan, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

Barcelona had previously targeted Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams but were forced to look elsewhere after the 22-year-old signed a long-term extension with his boyhood club earlier this summer.

Rashford, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Aston Villa, made 17 appearances, scoring four goals and registering six assists. However, his United future appears increasingly uncertain, as he remains one of five players training away from the first-team group amid ongoing squad restructuring under Amorim.

Currently United’s second-highest earner behind Casemiro, Rashford is on a weekly wage of £325,000. His potential exit, even temporarily, would ease financial pressure at Old Trafford, where the club has already committed over £130m to secure new arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Additional signings are expected to depend on further player departures.

United’s management reportedly views Rashford’s potential departure positively, particularly as it allows Amorim to shape his squad more decisively.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has previously expressed admiration for Rashford’s abilities. In a May interview with Catalan radio station RAC1, Deco said, “We like Luis [Díaz], we like Rashford and we like other players,” when asked about potential summer targets.

Rashford himself has publicly spoken about his interest in linking up with Barcelona’s rising teenage star Lamine Yamal. In a recent conversation with Spanish influencer Javi Ruiz, he said, “Everyone wants to play with the best. Hopefully… we’ll see.”

Although Rashford is under contract with United until 2028, he was not assigned a squad number for the upcoming campaign and did not travel with the team for their opening pre-season match against Leeds United in Sweden. Instead, he remained at the club’s Carrington training base.

Having progressed through United’s youth ranks, Rashford made his senior debut in 2016 under then-manager Louis van Gaal. He has since scored 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club. However, he has not featured since a Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen last December, after which Amorim benched him for the Manchester derby due to concerns over his attitude in training.

Should the Barcelona move go through, Rashford would join a side fresh off a domestic double under new head coach Hansi Flick and could look to revive his career in La Liga alongside some of Europe’s most exciting talents.