Barcelona Close to Sealing Rashford Deal as Payment Terms Agreed with Man Utd

The path appears clear for Marcus Rashford to make his Barcelona stay permanent, with the Spanish club and Manchester United having hammered out the financial details—but one significant obstacle still stands in the way.

After a falling-out with Ruben Amorim, Rashford was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa for the closing stretch of last season. When the new campaign began with Amorim still in charge, United sent the winger to Barcelona on a temporary deal through the end of the season.

The 26-year-old has flourished at Camp Nou, racking up ten goals and nine assists across 34 appearances in all competitions. The England international has made no secret of his desire to remain in La Liga and build his career there, even as speculation swirled about a potential return to Old Trafford following Amorim's departure.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that United remain steadfast on their valuation. The club are demanding the full €30 million option clause be activated with no negotiation on the fee. Romano stated: "Manchester United want the €30m option clause paid in full. The message from United is clear – pay €30m or the player doesn't join. So Barcelona feel strong because the player is on their side, but they still need to agree terms with Manchester United. United do not want to offer any discount."

Barcelona have now accepted those terms. Matteo Moretto reported that Rashford is "very close" to joining the club permanently this summer, with the winger remaining a priority for both Flick and Barcelona's hierarchy. Spanish outlets Sport and Mundo Deportivo confirmed that the Catalan giants will exercise the £26m purchase option, with the two clubs agreeing a payment structure spread across three annual instalments of 10 million euros each.

Yet one hurdle remains: Barcelona's sporting department must rubber-stamp the deal. The club must evaluate whether Rashford's wages and the length of his proposed contract—likely three to four years given he's within two years of turning 30—can be accommodated within La Liga's Financial Fair Play regulations. Should those figures pass scrutiny, Barcelona will give the green light.

Rashford himself is content at Barcelona, where he feels he still possesses the capacity to develop and rediscover the elite form he once displayed in a United shirt.