Marcus Rashford has made a bold statement this summer: it’s Barcelona or nothing.
The Manchester United forward, once the pride of the club’s academy, has reportedly turned down a jaw-dropping €40 million (£34m) offer from Saudi Arabia, instead doubling down on his desire to join FC Barcelona, even if it means taking a massive pay cut. According to Mundo Deportivo, Rashford is ready to lower his £325,000-a-week wages to make his La Liga dream a reality.
Rashford finds himself in no-man’s land this transfer window. After being told he doesn’t feature in incoming manager Ruben Amorim’s future plans, and despite an injury-disrupted yet impressive loan stint at Aston Villa, where he managed 4 goals and 6 assists in just 17 games, the England international still has no confirmed exit route.
While Manchester United are keen to cash in for £40 million, Rashford is holding out for a move to Barcelona.
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Talks between his representatives and the Catalan club have already taken place, and he’s reportedly turned down more lucrative options, including the aforementioned offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club.
Barcelona, hamstrung by their ongoing financial struggles, are unable to match either Rashford’s wages or United’s full asking price. Instead, they are pushing for a loan deal with an option to buy for £30–£40 million, a move that would allow them to pay Rashford’s wages without an upfront transfer fee.
If United agrees to this structure, it could save them around £17 million over the next 12 months.
Despite the uncertainty, Rashford has been training solo and staying fit. In a telling moment while on holiday in Marbella, he was asked by popular Spanish YouTube channel XBuyer whether he’d like to play alongside Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal.
His response was simple, clear, and passionate:
“Yeah, sure. Everybody in the world wants to play with the best. So hopefully, we’ll see.”
Barcelona are said to see Rashford as a top alternative to Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, after their attempt to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams failed. Williams ultimately signed a long-term deal with Bilbao despite Barça’s willingness to activate his €58 million release clause.
With the Blaugrana’s pre-season kicking off on July 24, Rashford is hoping a deal can be struck soon – even if it means sacrificing millions to play at the club of his dreams.
The saga continues, but one thing is clear: Marcus Rashford is done waiting. He’s picked his side, and it’s painted Blaugrana.
