Rashford transfer latest: Man Utd striker's Barca move hits unexpected twist

Barcelona are reluctant to push through a loan move for Marcus Rashford this month but remain interested in signing the Manchester United forward permanently in the summer.

Sources indicate that Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, is not eager to finalize a deal before Monday’s transfer deadline.

While the club has the budget to facilitate a loan, they would also need to sell two players within the next three days to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations.

United have reportedly held discussions with a Spanish agency regarding a potential transfer, but Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages remain a significant hurdle.

United are unwilling to subsidize the majority of his salary for a loan, as they believe they should not be covering costs for a player who wants to leave.

A potential move to Barcelona is further complicated by financial restrictions. La Liga recently deregistered Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor after the club failed to meet the league’s salary cap rules.

Although the Spanish national sports council has granted temporary permission for Olmo and Victor to play, La Liga president Javier Tebas has expressed doubts about their long-term eligibility.

He said: “If we believe that he (Olmo) should not be registered, we obviously believe that we have a chance that he will not be registered.”

This financial uncertainty raises doubts about Barcelona’s ability to add Rashford to their squad mid-season.

United’s bargaining position with Rashford weakened last week after head coach Ruben Amorim made it clear he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, than Rashford.

However, Amorim later softened his stance, acknowledging: “United are a better team with Marcus Rashford, but he must change if he is to play for the club again.”

Rashford has been left out of United’s squad for the past 12 matches, featuring in just one matchday squad during that run.

Despite being a long-term target for Barcelona, Rashford has struggled for form, managing just 15 goals since signing a five-year contract with United in July 2023.

With Barcelona hesitant over a January move, Rashford’s future remains uncertain, and a summer transfer now appears more likely.