Barcelona’s ‘final Marcus Rashford stance’ is not what Man United will want to hear

Marcus Rashford’s loan spell at Barcelona is nearing its conclusion and Manchester United have been handed an update on the England international’s future

Barcelona have reportedly made a “final” decision regarding the future of Marcus Rashford, and it’s one Manchester United may not like. Rashford has spent the season on loan at the Spanish giants, having previously expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford just last summer.

Rashford continues to be heavily linked with a move away from United when he returns to the club following the conclusion of his loan spell.

There is a chance that Rashford could remain a Barcelona player without returning to United, if the La Liga champions agree to pay the £26million option to buy in the loan deal for the England international.

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The clause has been available to be activated for some time, and yet Barcelona have not approached United to pay the fee to be able to sign Rashford on a permanent basis.

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Spanish news outlet Sport have reported that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has approved a move for Rashford to move to the Camp Nou on a permanent basis.

However, the report goes on to say that Barca are also exploring how they could sign Rashford for a fee lower than the £26million fee in the option to buy clause.

The clause in Rashford’s loan deal runs until June 15, after which the 28-year-old would not be able to see his move become permanent, and would instead have to hope a new agreement could be reached.

Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists for Barcelona during his loan spell, with such form earning the forward a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.

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It remains to be seen what the future holds for Rashford and if an agreement can be reached between United and Barcelona, or if the La Liga giants change their view and agree to pay the £26million fee.

It was earlier this month that Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong explained why he would want Rashford to remain at the club beyond his loan spell.

“Yes, I believe so,” De Jong told Sport when asked if Rashford should remain a Barcelona player.

“In the minutes he’s played, he has given us a lot: goals, assists, depth. He is a fast player, who threatens rival defences. I would be delighted if he continued with us.

“He arrived here with a lot of enthusiasm. He was very happy to be here and from the first moment he arrived you could already see that he wanted to stay. He’s tried to adapt as best he could and I’ve seen him do well.”