Barcelona have decided not to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal from Manchester United this summer, according to reports in Spain. The 28-year-old forward spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Camp Nou, where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.
Barcelona, who won La Liga for the second consecutive season by finishing eight points ahead of Real Madrid, had the option to make Rashford's move permanent for €30 million (£25.8 million). However, the club's recent acquisition of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for €80 million (£69.3 million) cast doubt on Rashford's future.
Barcelona's reasoning behind the decision
According to Marca, Barcelona have decided not to trigger their purchase option before the June 15 deadline. The report cites two primary reasons for the decision. First, manager Hansi Flick prefers an attacker capable of pressing from the front, and the club believes Gordon is a better fit for that role. Second, age is a factor: Rashford will turn 29 in October, while Gordon turned 25 in February.
Barcelona's hierarchy were reportedly satisfied with Rashford's overall performance, but as doubts emerged, Flick's opinion became decisive in favour of signing Gordon instead.
Rashford's international duties and future
Rashford is currently with the England squad in the United States preparing for the World Cup, which begins on June 17 against Croatia. Speaking in April, Manchester United coach Michael Carrick left the door open for Rashford's potential return. 'There's decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation,' Carrick said. 'But at this point in time, nothing's been decided. It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there's nothing to say.'
With Barcelona's decision now confirmed, Rashford's future remains uncertain as he returns to Manchester United, where his contract runs until 2028.
