England forward set to become Barcelona’s third summer signing
Reining La Liga Champions Barcelona are set to complete the signing of Marcus Rashford after reaching an agreement with Manchester United for a season-long loan deal that includes an option to buy.
The England international is expected to become Barça’s third addition of the summer, following weeks of speculation and an official bid submitted within the last 24 hours.
According to latest reports from the English football transfers expert David Ornstein, the offer has been accepted by Manchester United, with only minor formalities left before the deal is finalised.
Rashford, 27, will travel to Catalonia in the coming hours to undergo a medical, and—barring any late setbacks—will link up with Hansi Flick’s squad in time for their upcoming pre-season tour of Asia, which begins next week.
Long-standing interest finally materialises
Barcelona’s pursuit of Rashford dates back to the January transfer window, when the club first explored the possibility of a loan move.
Although unsuccessful then, the Catalan giants have kept tabs on the player and reignited their interest this summer, especially after failing to land their top attacking target, Liverpool’s Luis DÃaz.
With DÃaz now off the table, sporting director Deco shifted focus to Rashford—long considered a viable alternative due to his versatility, top-level experience, and potential to thrive in La Liga.
Loan deal with option to buy
The deal will see Rashford initially join Barcelona on loan, with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season. While the exact value of the buy clause remains undisclosed.
David Ornstein suggests both clubs are aligned on the framework of the agreement as Barcelona set to pay the whole Marcus Rashford salary as part of proposed transfer from Manchester United stressing that the Impending loan + option to buy includes 100% wage coverage by the Spanish giants as all parties work to finalize the deal as soon as possible.
Seen as a dynamic and flexible squad option, Rashford is expected to bring much-needed pace and penetration to Flick’s attack. His ability to operate across the front line could prove valuable for Barcelona, who are looking to defend their laliga title after winning a domestic treble in 2024/25 campaign.
Next steps
Once the medical is completed, Rashford’s registration with La Liga will be the next priority as Barcelona look to ensure all paperwork is finalised ahead of the new season, which begins in four weeks.
The move marks a significant turning point for Rashford, who has been out of favour at Manchester United since December 2024 and was recently told by manager Rúben Amorim that he is not part of his plans for the upcoming season.
If the transition goes smoothly, Rashford could make his unofficial Barcelona debut during the club’s pre-season fixtures in Asia.