Barcelona make huge Marcus Rashford decision ahead of El Clasico | Football

Barcelona do want to sign Marcus Rashford permanently – but they may not pay the Manchester United loanee’s £26million buy out clause.

It is just over a year since Rashford played his last game for United, before being exiled from the first-team by Ruben Amorim.

Following a productive loan spell at Aston Villa, the forward joined Barcelona last summer on a season-long deal, with the Spanish giants holding the option to make it permanent.

So far, the move has worked out well for both player and club, with Rashford recording seven goals and 11 assists in 26 appearances, firing Barcelona four points clear at the top of La Liga.

The 28-year-old looks revitalised and appears to be a key player for Thomas Tuchel’s England ahead of the World Cup.

There had been some question over whether Barcelona would seek to make the transfer permanent, with Rashford yet to fully cement his place in their starting XI, notably being benched for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final win over Athletic Club earlier this week.

Hansi Flick’s team take on El Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Super Cup final on Sunday night and it will be curious to see how the Three Lions star is involved.

Moreover, Amorim was sacked last Monday, potentially giving out of favour players like Rashford and Jadon Sancho a route back to Old Trafford.

But further to reports that United don’t plan to keep the forwards, The Athletic say that Barcelona have decided they want to keep Rashford at the Camp Nou beyond the end of this season.

However, Fabrizio Romano adds that there is ‘no guarantee’ that Barcelona will trigger the aforementioned buy out clause and a final decision on the matter will be made closer to the summer.

A lot depends on the Catalan club’s financial situation, while there is also the small matter of Rashford’s £350,000-a-week salary which Barcelona are covering in its entirety.

The £26m fee was already considered pretty low for a player of Rashford’s quality and it would seem unlikely for United to lower it, especially given his form this season.

In any case, the Three Lions star has made it clear he wants to stay in Spain and there has even been speculation that he is trying to reunite with former United teammate Kobbie Mainoo.

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