Sporting director Deco scrambling for creative solutions to keep winger without breaching club’s spending limits
Barcelona are exploring different ways to extend Marcus Rashford’s stay at the Camp Nou for another season without having to pay the €30m required to acquire the player permanently from Manchester United. At least not yet.
The England international has convinced Barcelona’s decision-makers of his value to the team but Barcelona are still short of finances. The club are currently not meeting the 1:1 rule despite La Liga earlier this month announcing an increase in Barcelona’s spending cap.
It has left sporting director Deco scrambling for creative solutions to keep the winger without breaching the league’s strict spending limits. One way to do that, according to reports, is for Barcelona to propose a second consecutive season-long loan.
The arrangement would allow the Catalan club to delay payment of the €30m while retaining Rashford at least for an extra year. They would then pay United the full amount at a later date.
It remains highly uncertain whether the United will agree to another loan move for Rashford. If such a deal is to work, it is likely the Premier League club will demand full payment of the winger’s wages for that second season (as with the current deal), and also require Barcelona to agree to an obligatory clause to purchase the player the next summer. Barcelona currently do not have an obligation to buy.
Rashford has produced 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances so far this season for Barcelona. The decision-makers, including the coaching staff and the recruitment department are also reportedly impressed by his high regard for the club and willingness to be at the Camp Nou.
