Manchester United could lose out on as much as £17.7 million this summer amid Barcelona’s desire to keep Marcus Rashford in Spain.
After nine consecutive years in the Manchester United first team, Academy graduate Marcus Rashford was banished and sent on loan to Aston Villa by Rúben Amorim in January 2025, following what the former head coach said was a lack of work ethic in training.
After spending six months on loan in Birmingham, the England international then signed for Barcelona on a season-long loan in the summer with the option to sign him for £26 million in June 2026.
Since then, Rashford has secured seven goals and 11 assists in 26 appearances at the Catalan giants, with his Champions League performances a highlight of his tenure so far.
Despite Amorim’s sacking, there is no way United can bring Rashford back to Old Trafford this month, as they didn’t insert a recall clause in their agreement with Barcelona.
Barcelona want to keep Rashford this summer
A significant reason for Rashford’s move to Barcelona only materialising as a loan deal is that the La Liga giants were hesitant to initially commit such significant funds to someone who had been frozen out of United’s squad.
However, speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed that Barcelona have told his camp this week that they are very happy with him and would like to keep him beyond this season.
Rashford is said to have impressed Barcelona with his performances, versatility, professionalism, attitude and dressing-room presence.
Further, Romano explained that while Barcelona will not trigger the clause yet, as it is still too early for a formal move, United are aware that the Catalan giants have a genuine internal intention to keep Rashford long-term.
United could lose £17.7m in Rashford deal
Should this be the case, United have pretty much guaranteed themselves around £65 million in incomings this summer, as if Napoli qualify for the Champions League, their £39 million buy agreement for loanee Rasmus Højlund comes into effect, adding to Rashford’s probable transfer fee.
But, in light of the English forward’s brilliant performances in Spain, United could be losing out on securing an extra £17.7 million for the player.
Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain have held a long-term interest in Rashford, and it’s widely known that they held significant talks with his camp in 2022. According to reports from late last year, PSG had even set aside around £43.7 million for the summer if Rashford became available.
With Rashford’s Barcelona form showing himself to be a player valued much higher than £26 million, United would have no doubt demanded more in the summer had he returned, but with Barcelona keen to see him stay, what United will get for him this summer is likely to stay at that price.
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