Marcus Rashford Set for Manchester United Return as Barcelona Pass on Permanent Transfer

Marcus Rashford is set to return to Man Utd as Barcelona decline his £26m buyout. Tottenham emerge as a target if they avoid PL relegation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 9:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

The Final Months of a Catalan Chapter

The future of Marcus Rashford has undergone a dramatic shift as the 2025/26 campaign enters its final stretch. After joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United to revitalize his career, the English international is now almost certain to depart the Spotify Camp Nou. While early reports in February suggested a permanent stay was likely, a recent meeting between head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco resulted in a "practically final" decision to pass on the player. Despite a promising start to his Spanish journey, Rashford’s lack of consistency and high wage demands have convinced the Barcelona hierarchy to explore more affordable offensive alternatives for the upcoming season.

Performance Drip and Tactical Displacement

Rashford’s impact at Barcelona has cooled significantly since the turn of the year, echoing the struggles that led to his initial departure from Old Trafford. After netting ten goals by January, the forward has managed just two goals in all competitions since the winter break. His failure to step up during Raphinha’s recent injury absence was a major factor in Flick’s tactical pivot; the manager has recently preferred to utilize younger talents like Fermín López and Gavi in the attacking roles typically occupied by the Englishman. Having featured in the starting eleven for just two of the last eight La Liga fixtures, Rashford has effectively been relegated to a rotation role as the club pursues a historic home-win record.

Financial Barriers to a Permanent Agreement

The primary obstacle to a permanent deal remains the total cost of the operation, which Barcelona’s board has deemed excessive given their ongoing financial restructuring. The loan agreement included a £26 million (approximately €30 million) buyout option, but Manchester United have reportedly refused to negotiate a lower fee. When combined with Rashford’s substantial weekly salary, the total investment is seen as a risk for a player who has failed to maintain elite output across a full season. Consequently, Barcelona have retreated from activation, focusing their limited resources on securing a traditional number nine and a specialized left-back to support the Flick system in 2027.