Marcus Rashford looks set to join Barcelona on a permanent deal this summer after his loan spell from Manchester United though his game time may not be guaranteed
Marcus Rashford could be battling for game time next season if Barcelona make his loan switch permanent, given their search for a ‘mobile striker’ should Robert Lewandowski depart. The Manchester United star is currently enjoying a season-long stint with the Catalan giants under Hansi Flick.
Although Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha are all established first-team regulars at the Camp Nou and take precedence over Rashford, the 28-year-old has still racked up 10 goals and 13 assists from 34 outings across all competitions. Barcelona also possesses an option to sign Rashford permanently at the end of the 2025/26 campaign for approximately £26million – a clause they appear increasingly likely to trigger given his reliable displays.
However, the versatile forward could also encounter more competition for playing time with the La Liga heavyweights next season should he complete a transfer. At 37 and with his deal running out at the end of the current campaign, Lewandowski’s future with Barcelona has come under scrutiny.
This is despite the Polish striker demonstrating he’s still got plenty to offer with 10 La Liga goals to his name this term. Consequently, Sport reports that the club are preparing to explore the market this summer for a mobile striker who can combine effectively with team-mates in attack and apply pressure when Barca are out of possession.
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Dusan Vlahovic has surfaced as a possible option for the position, given he ticks all the boxes and his Juventus contract expires at the end of the Serie A campaign, meaning a financially cautious Barcelona wouldn’t need to fork out a substantial fee for him. Tuttosport also report that Vlahovic has informed his agent that his preference is to join Barcelona, though he’s awaiting an official approach from the club.
Should no offer materialise, the 26-year-old is also said to be willing to negotiate fresh terms with the Old Lady. This could ultimately create complications for Rashford, though, as the forward has demonstrated his adaptability by operating as a central striker beyond his preferred left-wing position.
With two-and-a-half years remaining on his existing United deal, his long-term prospects at the club remain uncertain. The England international lost his place under Ruben Amorim shortly after his arrival in November 2024, spending the final months of last season on loan at Aston Villa.
Still considered expendable by the Portuguese manager upon his return, Rashford subsequently moved to Barcelona on a temporary basis in the summer. However, with Amorim having been shown the door at Old Trafford and Michael Carrick now in charge until the end of the season, the door could be open for Rashford to return to the club he has devoted his entire career to should he wish to.
Much will hinge on whether Barcelona make his loan move permanent, what Carrick thinks of the forward should he be handed the role on a full-time basis, or whether an incoming manager arrives who sees Rashford fitting into his plans.
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