Former Manchester United star Louis Saha has issued a stark warning to Barcelona about signing Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal, despite the England forward's impressive start to life in La Liga.
Rashford's Resurgence in Spain
Since joining Barcelona on a season-long loan from Manchester United, the 28-year-old has rediscovered his best form under manager Hansi Flick. Rashford has become a regular fixture in the starting lineup, contributing significantly to Barcelona's attacking play.
His statistics demonstrate his impact: in 12 La Liga appearances, he has scored two goals and provided seven assists. In the Champions League, his record is even more impressive with four goals and two assists from just four matches.
The forward's recent performance in Barcelona's 4-2 victory over Celta Vigo showcased his creative abilities, as he set up two goals for Robert Lewandowski. This current form represents a remarkable turnaround for a player who had fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford under manager Ruben Amorim last season.
The Transfer Dilemma
Barcelona holds an option to make Rashford's loan move permanent for a reported fee between £26 million and £30 million. For a player currently performing well in their starting eleven, this appears to represent reasonable value in today's transfer market.
However, Saha remains unconvinced. The former Red Devils striker pointed to Rashford's inconsistent performances during his final years at Manchester United as cause for concern.
'I think Marcus Rashford does provide a bit of worry,' Saha told OLBG. 'You have to manage him. What happened to him at United? I think something could happen again.'
Saha highlighted that three of Rashford's last four Premier League seasons were underwhelming, noting 'he didn't play well for two years' and had 'a lot of issues' during his time at Old Trafford.
Financial Considerations and Future Prospects
For any permanent deal to materialise, Rashford would likely need to accept a significant reduction from his Manchester United wages, reported to be approximately £300,000 per week.
The player himself has expressed his desire to remain with the Catalan giants, telling ESPN: 'For sure. I'm enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour.'
According to Spanish publication SPORT, discussions about extending Rashford's stay are already underway, though several details remain to be finalised.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has praised Rashford's versatility and improvement since arriving at the club, stating: 'Rashford is a good option as a No. 9, but he can also play as a No. 11. That's what we thought when we signed him: he can play as a No. 9 or No. 11, and it's great to have him in our team. He's improved a lot in recent weeks.'
Despite this endorsement and Rashford's clear talent, Saha's warning serves as a reminder that the English international's career has been marked by fluctuations in form that potential suitors must carefully consider before committing to a long-term investment.
