MARCUS RASHFORD IN TALKS OVER £40M MAN UTD TRANSFER EXIT

Marcus Rashford looks set to leave Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Marcus Rashford is in talks to complete a permanent transfer away from Manchester United after his dream move to Barcelona fell through.

Rashford, who featured for England at this summer’s World Cup, hoped to earn a permanent move to Barca after a largely impressive loan spell.

The 28-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists to help Barcelona retain their La Liga title and go deep in the Champions League.

Barca boss Hansi Flick appeared keen for Rashford to stay at the Nou Camp but a deal always looked unlikely after the Spanish champions spent £70m to sign his England teammate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.

Rashford is therefore due to return to Old Trafford after a break following his World Cup commitments but Manchester United are not planning to reintegrate him into Michael Carrick’s squad.

As a result Rashford, who is available to sign for £40m for clubs other than Manchester City and Liverpool, is searching for a new club.

According to The Sun, Rashford is in talks with Turkish giants Fenerbahce, who are ready to ‘break the back’ to secure his signature.

Rashford has likely played his last game for Man Utd (Picture: Getty)

Fenerbahce are desperate to reel in rivals Galatasaray next season and believe Rashford can help them do just that.

Rashford is in talks with Fenerbahce after being recommended a move to Arsenal by the likes of Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and David Seaman.

Discussing Arsenal’s reported interest in Rashford during the World Cup, Manchester United legend Ferdinand said: ‘I would take Rashford. For £40m, I’m sweeping Rashford off his feet.’

Rashford wanted to stay at Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Ex-Old Trafford midfielder Paul Scholes added: ‘That would be a great move, a great move for both parties. I think Arsenal would be a great move for him and the club.’

Mikel Arteta is keen to welcome a new winger to the Emirates Stadium but his current focus is on Real Madrid and Brazil superstar Vinicius Junior.

Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Flick has discussed the club’s decision not to sign Rashford, insisting he will ‘miss’ the England star.

‘You don’t know what happens with players who are on loan – our situation is not easy for that,’ Flick said last week.

- Louis Sealey

NOU CAMP | BRETHREN FROM TANZANIA | 2021

 

BARCELONA MAKE MARCUS RASHFORD TRANSFER DECISION AFTER MAN UTD AGREEMENT

Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona have made a decision on signing Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United after his first few months at the club.

Rashford said he felt like he was ‘at home’ after joining Barca on an initial season-long loan deal back in July.

The England international last played for Manchester United in December 2024 after being dropped by Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim and eventually banished from the first team.

Rashford showed glimpses of his potential during a loan spell at Aston Villa in the second-half of last season and has continued to impress this term at the Nou Camp.

The 27-year-old has scored three goals and made four assists in his first ten games for Barca, with two of his goals coming in a Champions League win over Newcastle United.

According to The Sun, Barcelona are ‘ecstatic’ with Rashford’s early form at the club and already intend to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer.

During talks with Barca over the summer, Manchester United agreed the Spanish champions could sign Rashford permanently for just over £30m in a year’s time.

That means Rashford has most likely played his last game for United, the club he first joined at the age of eight before going on to make 426 first-team appearances for.

Rashford looked at best misused and at worst disinterested during the latter stages of his lengthy Old Trafford spell but Barcelona have been impressed by his ‘work ethic and talent’.

He became the first male England player to play for Barca since former striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta was reportedly left ‘stunned’ Manchester United were willing to part ways with Rashford, especially for a relatively small fee.

Rashford came on as a second-half substitute in England’s routine friendly win over Wales on Thursday night and could start Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Discussing Rashford’s struggles at Old Trafford, Barcelona chief Deco recently said: ‘What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing.

‘He’s a very high-level player; he exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had more complicated management years with changes of coaches, and perhaps he also struggled because they demanded a lot of things from him there.

‘But we’re happy with him; that’s the most important thing.’

On the possibility of Rashford staying at Barcelona beyond this season’s loan, Deco added: ‘He has a simple loan, there’s no penalty. If we want him, we have a purchase option.

‘It’s too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we’re happy with him.

‘These aren’t decisions for now; now it’s time to focus on the upcoming games. A decision will be made, but that’s not being discussed now.

‘There’s a contract between the clubs, but it needs to be discussed.’

Rashford, meanwhile, admitted he was relishing his time at Barcelona while speaking after a Champions League game last month.

‘It’s going good,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘Obviously learning a lot, it’s a new way of football.

‘I’m enjoying it all and I think it’s making me a better player. That’s what I’m here to do, help the team win but also try and improve and be the best I can.

‘Honestly it’s an amazing experience, I’ve always been a huge admirer of Barcelona.

‘Most people my age have watched them play from when we were younger, so it’s amazing football, amazing players and we just want to win as much as possible.’

- Louis Sealey