Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona future remains uncertain

Rashford is a Manchester United player. His contract is till 30 June 2028. When Casemiro’s contract expires on June 30 this year, he will be the club’s highest earner, with his salary benefiting from the reinstatement of the 25% that was removed due to the failure to qualify for the Champions League last season.

His loan agreement with Barcelona includes an option to make the transfer permanent worth €30m (£25.94m) if it is triggered by June 15.

This is an easy thing. This is where it starts to get complicated.

Prima facie, making the deal permanent makes sense for all parties.

Rashford has performed very well:

14 goals and 14 assists in 47 matches. It was enough to earn him a recall to England from Thomas Tuchel and, in all likelihood, a place in the final 26-man World Cup squad.

He enjoys playing for Barcelona and would like to stay here.

While Barça have other targets this summer, they would like to sign a player at a price well below market value. Meanwhile Manchester United may be losing out on someone who was in Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ last summer.

However, Barcelona are apparently unwilling to execute the transfer and are potentially trying to renegotiate Rashford’s signing him on another loan deal next season. United have indicated that they are not prepared to do so.

It’s an understandable situation for United, who know they can get more for Rashford than other clubs.

Yet there is risk in United’s approach.

Last month, head coach Michael Carrick said ‘nothing has been decided’ on Rashford and indicated he would be willing to work with the 28-year-old if he returns to Old Trafford next season and is confirmed as the new boss.

However, United are committed to reducing wage costs and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously spoken of trying to ensure that the highest earners are ‘on the pitch’.

Given that the club are approaching a summer in which they will attempt to sign at least two central midfield players and certainly at least two more players in other areas of the pitch, and that they also need to speak to captain Bruno Fernandes about his contract situation, it will not help them to negotiate terms for someone on Rashford’s wages to remain at the club.