OFFICIAL: Man Utd's Marcus Rashford completes loan move to Barcelona

FC Barcelona now have a new addition to their forward line. The Catalan giants have announced an agreement with Manchester United for the loan of Marcus Rashford for the next season 2025-26. At the end of the season they will keep an option to buy him for between 30 and 35 million euros.

Nico Williams did not prosper, despite being Joan Laporta's big dream for the last two summers, but the winger ended up renewing his contract with Athletic Club. The option of Luis Diaz also came up, although financially difficult. In the end, it was Rashford, who was always there, that materialised.

Hansi Flick had already spoken to Marcus Rashford last May to convey his interest, although Barca were working on Nico at the time. But Deco never let the Englishman, the most financially attractive alternative, fall by the wayside. Last Saturday it all came together. There was an agreement between clubs and the player was scheduled to travel to Barcelona, where he received the definitive OK after passing a medical.

Rashford takes 15% pay cut

For the deal to go through, Rashford has also had to make a financial effort. Sport' reported that Barca will pay 70% of his fee. Man United wanted Barca to pay his full salary, so the player has decided to give up the remaining 15% in order to wear the blue and white shirt.

Interest in the Red Devils striker, who spent last season on loan at Unai Emery's Aston Villa since January, had been longstanding. His irregularity and his personal disputes with Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim took him away from Manchester United, where he had been captain general for years. Now he has the opportunity to vindicate himself once again.

A luxury reinforcement

Rashford lands in Barcelona with a hunger for football and success. The Englishman, a model character for his fight against hunger and poverty, reached an excellent level in seasons such as 2020-21 and 2022-23, in which he scored nearly 40 goals for his team. Electric, quick and clinical in front of goal when he is inspired, he starts in a role as a luxury substitute behind the Raphinha-Lewandowski-Lamine Yamal trio.

The problem at Old Trafford was that his genius was combined with other mediocre years, dragged down also by the downfall of a United side that in negative dynamics is a nullifier of talent. But he leaves, for the moment, having scored 138 goals and made 60 assists in 426 games. He continues to play for England, where he has 17 goals in 62 games.