Spanish champions, FC Barcelona, have confirmed the signing of England international, Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United with an option to buy.
The La Liga giants announced the deal in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the loan will run until June 30, 2026.
“Barcelona and Manchester United have reached a deal for the loan of the player Marcus Rashford until June 30, 2026. The agreement also establishes an option to buy the English forward,” the club said.
According to Spanish media reports, Barcelona will cover around 75 per cent of Rashford’s £325,000 weekly wages, while the 27-year-old has agreed to forgo the remaining balance to facilitate the move.
Rashford, who made his debut for Manchester United in 2015, fell out of favour under manager Ruben Amorim and was loaned to Aston Villa in the second half of the 2024/25 season. He scored four goals in 17 appearances before a hamstring injury ended his campaign in April.
The forward has scored 138 goals in 426 matches for Manchester United but had not played for the club since December. Amorim had publicly questioned Rashford’s commitment to the team.
Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, had earlier described Rashford and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz as “fantastic players” amid transfer speculation. The Catalan side are seeking to strengthen their options on the left flank, following their domestic treble-winning campaign.
Rashford is expected to provide competition for wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, and serve as potential cover for Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who turns 37 in August.
Barcelona had initially targeted Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, but the Spaniard opted to extend his contract with the Basque club.
Rashford’s move has drawn criticism in England. Former United striker, Teddy Sheringham, said the player did not merit a switch to the Spanish giants.
“From my perspective, if you go from Manchester United to Barcelona, that’s a step up that he hasn’t deserved,” Sheringham told SkyBet.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are reportedly looking to offload more players this summer, including Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
Barcelona may still face hurdles registering Rashford and newly signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia due to La Liga’s financial regulations, having struggled to register players like Dani Olmo last season.
Only a few British players have featured for Barcelona in the past. They include Gary Lineker, Steve Archibald and Mark Hughes in the 1980s. Others such as Marcus McGuane and Louie Barry had brief stints with the club’s youth and B teams.
