Man Utd make final Marcus Rashford transfer decision amid Premier League interest
Manchester United have reached a final decision over the future of Marcus Rashford, it has been reported.
Rashford is on a season-long loan at Barcelona, which is due to expire on June 30.
The 28-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions for Hansi Flick's side and helped them to win the La Liga title.
His performances earned him a recall to the England squad, and Rashford is part of the 26-man contingent selected by Thomas Tuchel to play at the World Cup.
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But beyond June, his future has looked increasingly uncertain as the months have gone by.
Barca completed the signing of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for a fee of around £75 million before the transfer window even opened, in a sign that Rashford's future may lie elsewhere.
But according to Spanish outlet Sport, the outlook is slightly more complicated than that.
They claim that Barcelona haven't 'completely ruled out' completing a permanent deal for Rashford, but that it relies on player sales and whether they can sign a new striker or not.
The club have been heavily linked with a move for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, but Atletico's public criticism over Barca's handling of their interest doesn't appear to have aided the cause of the La Liga champions.
It is added, however, that a return for Rashford at this stage 'seems unlikely'.
As far as Manchester United are concerned, the same outlet report that they are 'open to negotiating a different, more advantageous solution for Barca', which would see the Spanish giants pay a smaller fee than their €30 million buy option.
United were said to have been adamant that they would only sell Rashford for the initial buy clause sum, but have accepted that Rashford 'absolutely prioritises staying at the Camp Nou and is completely closed off to other proposals'.
Which other clubs are interested in signing Rashford?
United's stance indicates that they want Rashford to join Barcelona rather than one of their Premier League rivals.
The i Paper reported earlier this week that up to five clubs, including Premier League sides Newcastle and Aston Villa, were monitoring the 28-year-old forward.
READ MORE: Five clubs express interest in Marcus Rashford including three Premier League sides
Rashford would arrive at St James' Park as effectively a replacement for Anthony Gordon, while he spent the second part of the 2024/25 season on loan at Villa under Unai Emery.
Villa have once again qualified for the Champions League, having done so via two methods - by finishing in fourth place in the Premier League and by winning the Europa League.
UEFA's co-efficient system means that Sporting Lisbon, who were the highest-ranked club not already qualified for the main draw, took the Europa League titleholder spot in the group stage.
When Rashford learned of his inclusion in England's World Cup squad, he paid tribute to both Emery and Barca boss Hansi Flick as playing key roles in helping him get back into Three Lions contention.
Taking to Instagram, Rashford wrote: "Special thanks to Unai, Hansi, Thomas, Aston Villa, Barcelona and England for believing in me when things got tough."
In a follow-up post on Twitter, he added: "To make my IG story clear, it's not a dig of any sort! I'm a MU supporter, and that remains.
"I was showing gratitude to the clubs and coaches that I have worked with over the past 18 months. They have played a big role in this call-up."
Topics: Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Transfers, FC Barcelona
Ryan Smart