Senior figures at Manchester United have been left scratching their heads at the terms of the deal that is expected to see them sell Marcus Rashford to Barcelona for just £26m this summer.
Senior figures at Manchester United have been left regretting the deal to sell Marcus Rashford to Barcelona for £26m. Rashford has revived his flagging career since joining the Spanish giants on loan last summer. He has scored 10 goals in 35 appearances and won back his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
United believe Rashford’s value is now closer to £50m – and know several other clubs are interested in signing him this summer. But United agreed to give Barca first option to sign him for no more than £26m when the loan deal was struck between the two clubs.
It’s understood some senior figures at United have been left frustrated by the terms of the agreement. And with Rashford desperate to make his move to the Nou Camp permanent, Barca could look to exploit this by attempting to negotiate an even lower price for the forward.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
There have been suggestions interim boss Michael Carrick would like to have Rashford back at United. But there is no recall clause in the loan deal, meaning he couldn’t go back to United even if all parties wanted him to. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains keen to get Rashford off the club’s wage bill.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings
But he is not looking forward to the prospect of allowing Barca to land the 28-year-old on the cheap. While Rashford was one of United’s highest-paid stars, he is only the sixth biggest earner in the Barca squad.
And it’s understood Barca boss Hansi Flick is keen to keep Rashford long term. Rashford has bought a luxurious apartment in the affluent suburb of Esplugues with views of the Collserola mountains, and is said to be loving life in Catalonia.
His £15m-a-year contract with United runs until 2028. But Rashford has told those close to him he has no intention of ever returning to his hometown club, having made the difficult decision to take his career elsewhere.
Rashford is expected to be included in Tuchel’s final squad for this summer’s World Cup in North America.