Hansi Flick ‘contacts Barcelona board’ over Marcus Rashford as Man United discover new plans

Marcus Rashford’s future appears to lie away from Manchester United, with a move to Barcelona looking a strong possibility at the end of the season

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is reportedly the strongest advocate for wanting to keep Marcus Rashford at the club beyond the summer. Rashford’s loan from Manchester United expires at the end of the season, but Barcelona retain an option to make the move permanent.

Rashford has made it clear he wants a long‑term future at the Camp Nou, having previously reiterated his desire to stay. “Of course what I want is to stay at Barca,” he told Sport.

“It’s an end goal, but it’s not the reason why I’m training hard and giving it my best. The purpose is to win. Barca is a huge, fantastic club, built to win titles. I can’t be in a place where important objectives are not demanded of you;

“For me it is more difficult to be motivated and give my best at a club where the demand is not maximum. I’m in the perfect place and environment to continue my journey as a football player, so I just try to do my best every day and help the team win. We’ll see what happens next summer.”

It’s now being reported in Spain that Flick has already made his stance clear to the board and president Joan Laporta. He is believed to see the England international as a strong fit for the club’s vision and sees his skill set match naturally with the rest of the attacking department.

In Flick’s view, a player with Rashford’s level of international pedigree, still operating in his prime years, is reportedly an asset ‘too valuable to overlook.’

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It comes after Spanish newspaper Marca reported that Barcelona are willing to exercise their £26m option to sign Rashford. It was previously claimed Barca would look to negotiate a lower fee but they are now said to be ready to meet that option.

Rashford joined the La Liga champions on loan in the summer after slipping out of favour under former manager Ruben Amorim.

He had already spent the second half of last season at Aston Villa, with his final appearance for United coming in December 2024.

Now 28, he has delivered 10 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona this season, and his form in Spain has strengthened his prospects of earning a place in England’s World Cup squad in June.