Marcus Rashford goes to Barcelona on a seasonal loan with the option to buy and while Manchester United was looking for a straight transfer, the wage contribution is the key to the deal
The patience of Marcus Rashford has paid off and he will leave Manchester United for Barcelona, with a loan agreement that has almost been agreed between the two clubs. Rashford has only had eyes for Barca since his loan spell at Aston Villa Early concluded due to an injury and, apart from Hiccups, he will get his way.
The 27-year-old rejected a mega-money movement to Saudi Arabia and waited for Barca and United to get to terms about a move. Barcelona was initially somewhat reluctant, because they first chased athletic Bilbao wing player Nico Williams and then flirted with Liverpool -wing player Luis Diaz.
But the side of Hansi Flick is now the United States and consider him an option to the left of their 4-3-3 formation and as a backup of veteran Center-Forward Robert Lewandowski.
Barca's financial struggle in recent years has been well documented and the Catalan giants are not willing to permanently sign Rashford immediately. United placed a price tag of £ 40 million on Rashford, before he placed him 'bump team' by Ruben Amorim next to Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Alejandro Garnacho.
United wants to sell their unwanted players as quickly as possible to finance a large squador television, which Matheus Cunha has already seen coming for £ 62.5 million, with Bryan Mbeumo being established for £ 70 million.
However, they have agreed to lend Rashford to the reservation that Barca pays the entire wage of Rashford and retain them an option to buy. That is a considerable financial obligation that he will receive £ 325,000 a week on a contract until June 2028.
The collection of their wage account will be a relief for United, which also agrees in the coming days in the vicinity of Sanchos. United is about to go through their pre-season tour through the United States and the click is ticking by the start of the 2025/26 season.
Although the departure of Rashford has been in the pipeline for some time, where the striker came out with Amorim in the winter before being borrowed from Villa in January, it is still an important deal for both parties.
Rashford came through the United Academy and has 138 goals and 77 assists in 426 performances for his club in the city. He helped them to win the FA Cup and the EFL Cup twice and the Europa League and his exit will mark an important moment.
In December he said: “If I know that a situation is already bad, I will not make it worse. I have seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person.
“If I leave, I will make a statement and it will be mine. If I leave, it will be 'no hard feelings'. You will not have any negative comments about Manchester United. I am as a person. For me I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”