Romano Dismisses Barcelona Buyout Clause Expiry Reports as United Dig In

Fabrizio Romano has shot down suggestions that Barcelona's opportunity to purchase Marcus Rashford slipped away at the end of March, instead stating that sources at both clubs confirm the €30m buyout clause is still very much alive through the current campaign.

United shipped Rashford to Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer, complete with the aforementioned €30m purchase option. The England winger had previously spent half a season on loan at Aston Villa following a well-documented falling out with then-manager Ruben Amorim.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano clarified the situation: "The report saying the €30 million buy option from Manchester United to Barcelona expired yesterday, at the end of March, is not what my sources are saying. Sources at both clubs suggest that the €30 million option is still valid until the end of the current season. So if Barcelona want to pay that amount tomorrow, they can still sign Marcus Rashford."

The Barcelona hierarchy have already sorted personal terms with Rashford and his representatives, Romano explained, but the Catalan outfit are keen to restructure the arrangement rather than fork out the full fee. Their reasoning is straightforward: a costly summer of recruitment beckons.

Centre-back Alessandro Bastoni tops their wishlist, with preliminary discussions over wages and personal terms already underway, though Inter Milan have made clear that €50m won't cut it. In attack, Julian Alvarez remains a pipe dream, but Atletico Madrid are having none of it. Meanwhile, Barcelona continue to monitor Robert Lewandowski's situation.

"That is why Barcelona would prefer to restructure the Rashford deal rather than pay the full €30 million. Maybe another loan, maybe a different formula," Romano noted. "The message from Manchester United is simple: they want the money. They do not want another loan. So that is the gap between the two clubs at the moment."

As for Rashford himself, all appears well on the pitch. Manager Hansi Flick holds him in high regard not merely for his goal contributions, but for his adaptability across the forward line and his professionalism in training. He's earned plaudits for his demeanor when left out or substituted.

The sticking point, then, remains purely financial—and that's where the two clubs find themselves locked in negotiation.