Marcus Rashford may reportedly be forced to return to Manchester United at the end of his season-long loan at Barcelona, despite the player already making it clear that he wants to remain at the La Liga giants beyond the current campaign.
Rashford, 28, has not featured for his parent club since December 2024, before he was loaned to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 season following a fallout with then-Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim.
Following his brief spell at Villa Park, the England international signed a season-long loan deal with Barcelona in the summer of 2025 and has since seen an upturn in form, registering 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances for Hansi Flick’s side, who currently sit top of the Spanish top flight, four points ahead of Real Madrid after 27 matches.
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Rashford has a clause inserted into his loan which allows Barca to purchase him for a reported fee of £26 million.
However, despite Rashford making it fairly clear that he is enjoying his time in Catalonia and wants to make his deal permanent, he may not get his wish.
As reported by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barca are monitoring Chelsea winger Pedro Neto’s situation.
The Portugal international, who arrived at the Blues from Wolves for a fee of £54 million in August 2024, can play on both flanks, although he has predominantly featured on the right wing during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The 26-year-old has produced 10 goals and six assists so far during the current campaign, which has seemingly alerted Barca to his potential.
If Barca were to progress their interest to official contact, a potential transfer could be made simpler because the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has a healthy relationship with the Catalan club.
Neto is contracted to Chelsea until 2031, having signed a seven-year deal upon his arrival at the club.
Another factor which may impact Rashford’s future is Barcelona’s presidential election on 15 March.
Current president Joan Laporta reportedly wants to sign Rashford, whose £315,000-per-week wage is being covered by Barca, and is the favourite to win the upcoming election.
However, if Victor Font wins, it is unclear how this may impact Rashford’s Barcelona future.
Font has already made it clear that he intends to sign Manchester City forward Erling Haaland should he be successful in the election.
Marc Ciria and Xavier Vilajoana are also running for the presidency.
Given Rashford’s wages, he is unlikely to be reintegrated into United’s squad should Barca decide against extending his stay, and where this leaves the forward remains unclear.
Rashford is contracted to United until 2028.
Topics: Marcus Rashford, Barcelona, Manchester United, Transfer News, Football, La Liga
Luke Davies