28-year-old wants a permanent stay but the club are considering the best financial decision
Barcelona are now prepared to pay the €30m fee required to sign Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United.
The Catalan club have been considering several options as the end of the season and decision day approaches. First they explored the possibility of extending Rashford’s stay with another loan deal that would include a lower purchase obligation for next summer.
After United remained firm on their demand for the full fee agreed in last year’s loan arrangement, Barcelona considered the option of declining to keep Rashford altogether, believing it could be cheaper to sign a younger forward, even if they cost more than the €30m they would need to pay for Rashford.
But according to the latest reports, the Catalan club have now decided to proceed with the payment after reaching a conclusion that it will be difficult to find a player of Rashford’s level for a similar, or even slightly higher, price elsewhere.
Rashford joined Barcelona on loan last summer and has helped the club to win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, producing 14 goals and 14 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions this season.
He has made it clear he wants to remain at the club and is willing to accept lower wages on a long-term contract to help complete the move.
