BARCELONA SEEK CLEVER DEAL TO KEEP MARCUS RASHFORD AMID CLAUSE
Barcelona wants to keep Marcus Rashford but plans to avoid his £26m buy clause. Reports indicate the club will try to negotiate a lower fee or a new loan deal with Manchester United for the 2026-27 season.
Marcus Rashford / IMAGO/Focus Images
According to reports, Barcelona is trying to find a method to retain Marcus Rashford for the upcoming campaign without using the £26 million buy option in his Manchester United loan agreement. This summer, the 27-year-old returned after a brief stint with Aston Villa to join the Catalan team on a season-long loan.
Deco, the sports director for Barcelona, has made it clear that the team has the choice—not the duty—to acquire Rashford on a long-term basis. Despite Rashford's strong start to the season, Diario Sport says that the La Liga winners are not expected to pay the £26 million amount next summer.
If Rashford continues to play well, Barcelona might make an effort to keep him in Spain. However, instead of using the existing purchase provision, this might be accomplished by negotiating a reduced charge or setting up another loan agreement for the 2026–2027 season. Manchester United's willingness to accept such a deal is uncertain.
Rashford is still making an impression in La Liga.
Rashford has contributed five assists and three goals in all competitions since relocating to Spain. Despite Barcelona's 4-1 loss to Sevilla over the weekend, he also scored his first La Liga goal. Although Rashford's long-term future at Barcelona is still up in the air, the team appears eager to find a way to keep him at Camp Nou past the current campaign.
"What matters is that he gains confidence, and he will benefit from scoring two goals in this stadium in his native country." We are assisting him. However, I am not shocked. As I mentioned earlier, he is a really talented player. His finishing is excellent. After he scored two goals against Newcastle United in the Champions League, Barca coach Hansi Flick remarked, "We need a player like him."
Rashford spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa and was not part of Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim's plans. Rashford and several other United players were declared available for transfer before the 2025–26 season. In July, he signed a season-long loan to Barcelona.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.