Rashford makes an unbelievable move to join Barcelona, MU gets 'pranked'?

The future of Marcus Rashford has become a hot topic in the European transfer market, as the English forward is reported to have reached an agreement to leave Manchester United and join Barcelona on a permanent deal this summer.

After a period of playing for Barcelona on loan, Rashford left a relatively notable mark with 10 goals and 13 assists in 35 appearances across all competitions. Although not always a starter, his contributions demonstrate a quick adaptation to the Spanish football environment.

According to Spanish media, particularly AS and Sport, Barcelona has decided to activate the £26 million permanent transfer clause in the loan agreement with Manchester United. This is considered a reasonable fee given that the Camp Nou side is managing its finances but still wants to strengthen the squad's depth.

Recently, Rashford's position at Barcelona has become somewhat unstable as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are in good form. He has only started in 1 of the last 7 La Liga matches. However, Robert Lewandowski's injury has opened an opportunity for the 28-year-old forward to be tested as a center forward, a position not his natural forte but one he can handle thanks to his speed and flexible movement.

A notable point in this deal is the salary issue. Currently, Rashford earns over £300,000 per week at Manchester United. To finalize a three-year contract with Barcelona, he is forced to accept a significant salary reduction. His agent, Arturo Canales, is working directly with Sporting Director Deco to find a common ground.

What's worth discussing is Rashford seems to have regained some of his form while playing for Barcelona, performing with more confidence and effectiveness compared to his previous slump. However, the English forward is now willing to accept a pay cut to stay at Camp Nou, a decisive move. This inadvertently raises questions about whether he had already somewhat "cooled" towards Manchester United since the 2024/25 season, a time when his performance in the red shirt hit rock bottom, yet he refused to adjust his terms.

With Barcelona willing to invest and Rashford also showing goodwill by accepting a salary reduction, this deal is likely to be finalized in the summer transfer window. If it happens, this would not only be a turning point in the English forward's career but also mark a new chapter in the rebuilding plan of the Catalan club.