Marcus Rashford could be on the move this summer, with FC Barcelona entering preliminary discussions with the Manchester United star’s representatives, according to renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
The 26-year-old forward has faced a turbulent spell at Old Trafford over the last few seasons, falling short of the heights he reached as a promising academy graduate. In January, Rashford was loaned to Aston Villa in search of regular game time and a boost in form. While he showed glimpses of improvement during his stint—recording 2 assists in 10 appearances—his long-term future remains uncertain.
Despite his brief resurgence, Villa have yet to express intent to make the move permanent. New manager Rúben Amorim even dropped Rashford from the squad shortly after arriving, raising further doubts about the club’s plans for him. With no clear path back into Erik ten Hag’s setup at United, and Rashford’s high wages (£350,000 per week) weighing on the club, a departure now seems increasingly likely.
### **Barcelona Eye Cut-Price Deal for £40M-Rated Forward**
Barcelona, long-time admirers of Rashford, are reportedly considering a formal move. Talks between the player’s camp and the La Liga giants took place on Wednesday, as confirmed by both Romano and journalist Toni Juanmartí. The Catalans see Rashford as a dynamic option to strengthen their frontline—valuing his pace, adaptability across attacking positions, and experience in elite competitions.
Rashford has been on Barcelona’s radar since January, when an earlier attempt to sign him collapsed due to financial restrictions and squad constraints at the time. Now, with Manchester United open to negotiations and a £40 million price tag being floated, the opportunity appears more viable.
### **Villa Spell Showed Promise—but Was It Enough?**
Though Rashford’s time at Aston Villa wasn’t transformative, it did show signs of recovery. His stats over 10 matches include:
* **Assists**: 2
* **Key passes per match**: 1.3
* **Shots per match**: 1.9
* **Dribbles per match**: 0.9
* **Average match rating**: 6.82
However, many within United feel his output doesn’t justify his current salary, and with the club keen to reduce their wage bill and reinvest in new talent, they are now receptive to offers.
### **A Potential Fresh Start in Spain**
For Rashford, a switch to Barcelona could offer a valuable reset—an escape from the intense scrutiny of English football and a chance to thrive under new leadership at Camp Nou. With Hansi Flick preparing to reshape the squad, Rashford’s versatility and experience could make him a key component in Barça’s next chapter.
As talks continue behind the scenes, much will depend on how Barcelona prioritize their targets—and on Rashford’s own willingness to take the leap abroad after a decade in Manchester red.
