Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford appears set to join Barcelona on a permanent basis, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
Despite a successful loan at the Spanish club, there were uncertainties about a permanent transfer due to Barcelona’s financial challenges.
Journalist Peter Hall has fueled these rumors, claiming a deal is nearly finalized.
He mentioned on X that United will receive the complete £26 million through several installments.
Balague seems to support this development.
Guillem Balague on Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona
Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Rashford has been on loan at Barcelona since last summer and has quickly adapted to his new environment.
This move was what he desired, and he has performed consistently well since arriving. With a permanent deal appearing imminent, Balague praised Rashford as a great signing.
The journalist stated: “Bargain!!!!!! 29 LaLiga and Champions League matches, 9 goals and 10 assists. Importantly, he is happy, which improves his performance. The secret of football: context and system.”
Paying £26 million for Rashford seems like good value for Barcelona, but United considered this when setting the asking price.
What mattered to them was removing his £325,000-a-week wage from their payroll. From Ineos’ perspective, a lower fee was more sensible for this reason.
Concerns over Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford deal
Rashford’s journey at Old Trafford could have taken a different route. Many believed he could become a club legend, but his performance levels haven’t consistently matched this expectation.
Since contributing to 40 goals in the 2022/23 season, he has seen a gradual decline.
This downturn followed his signing of a £325,000-a-week contract, raising questions about the timing and its impact on his focus. This decision has faced significant scrutiny.
If Manchester United had not offered such a lucrative deal, it’s possible that Rashford’s trajectory might have turned out differently, allowing him to fulfill the promise many saw in him initially.