THE CAMP NOU PLAN: BARCELONA PREFERS A SECOND LOAN FOR MARCUS RASHFORD
Barcelona aims for a new Marcus Rashford loan, but Manchester United demands a permanent $35 million deal this summer.
Barcelona is reportedly aiming to arrange a new loan deal to keep Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford at Camp Nou beyond this season. Rashford joined Barcelona last summer on a deal that includes an option to buy him permanently for about $35 million (£26 million). His performances of 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 games have impressed, and interest in continuing the partnership seems strong. However, club president Joan Laporta has recently indicated that a permanent deal is unlikely this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, this reluctance isn’t due to waning interest in Rashford but more about Barcelona wanting to delay paying the full transfer fee at the end of the current campaign.
Looking at United’s side, last summer, they felt pushed into a corner. Rashford was keen on moving to Barcelona, and United had already labelled his wages as unsustainable. This left them with minimal leverage and forced them to accept a purchase clause well below what Rashford’s market value might actually be. Since his rise in Catalonia, the $35 million price tag arguably represents a bargain.
Reports have since suggested that United won’t open further talks with Barcelona this year without the purchase clause being triggered. They’ve warned that if Barcelona doesn’t act, Rashford could be sold elsewhere to the highest bidder.
That said, the latest information indicates United might accept another loan, provided it includes an obligatory purchase clause. This would allow United to count on the transfer fee as part of their next season’s budget, similar to if the option were exercised now.
A key difference would be the timing of the payments. United hopes for a full payment this summer, but Barcelona seems keen to push this back. A potential new loan deal might involve a partial payment at the season’s end, with the rest due in 2027.
This approach would still frustrate United. They know Rashford could fetch more elsewhere, but his preference to stay at Barcelona narrows their options. His weekly wages, approximately $435,000 (£325,000), add pressure to move him on quickly. If Barcelona is the only club he’ll join, United may find themselves forced to accept similar terms as last summer.
On the broader front, United’s transfer plans add urgency. The club needs to reshape the squad, especially in central midfield, where Casemiro’s departure has left a significant gap. Some reports suggest United might spend up to $270 million (£200 million) just in that area, alongside other potential signings. So raising funds from player sales is crucial.
While one might think United would push for a full, permanent sale now to maximise income, modern transfers often involve flexible payment structures. Payment plans can stretch over several years, and clubs can record the fee as income upfront when a purchase obligation exists, even if the full sum isn’t received immediately. This means United could record the $35 million from Rashford’s transfer this summer even if Barcelona pays in instalments.
That said, United will still want some immediate cash to kick-start their transfer activity. Barcelona would likely need to front a substantial portion of the fee this summer to persuade United to finalise a deal. But the pressure to have all $35 million on hand right now isn’t as great as it may seem.
BARCELONA SECURE 14-POINT LEAD OVER MADRID; ESPANYOL RESULT NOW DETERMINES TITLE
Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres scored late to move Barcelona 14 points clear, leaving them one Madrid loss from the title.
Barcelona now sit 14 points ahead of Real Madrid, and if Madrid slips up against Espanyol on Sunday, the title’s theirs.
Lewandowski finally broke the deadlock after 81 minutes, nodding in a header, and Torres added another four minutes from the end. Osasuna didn't quit, though Raul Garcia pulled one back late, but Barcelona held on for all three points. They’re inching closer to a second league title in a row, the club’s 29th overall.
If Madrid beats Espanyol, Barcelona’s next chance to seal it comes in the Clásico on May 10 against their biggest rivals.
Flick’s trying to keep his team’s focus on the next match rather than the Clasico, but Barcelona played the first half like a squad with little to lose. Missing the injured Lamine Yamal, they lost a chunk of their energy on the attack. Sure, they dominated possession, but breaking down Osasuna for real chances? That was tough.
Roony Bardghji, filling in for Yamal on the right, managed a decent long shot, but Osasuna’s keeper, Sergio Herrera, had no trouble stopping it. Honestly, Osasuna nearly shocked everyone before halftime. Ante Budimir battled through two defenders and poked the ball off the post.
Barcelona picked up the pace after the break. Dani Olmo should’ve scored from close range, but he fluffed it. Flick then rolled the dice from the bench, bringing on three subs, including Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, to take over the right flank.
Rashford almost made an immediate impact, curling a shot just over and injecting some much-needed speed. He set up the opener too, swinging in a perfect cross for Lewandowski, who lost his marker and buried his header. Torres, another sub, finished with precision to double the lead.
Still, it wasn’t comfortable. Garcia scored for Osasuna in stoppage time, left wide open in the box, forcing Barcelona to sweat out the last minutes. The Catalans dug in, clearing everything in sight as Osasuna pressed, but finally, they held on for their tenth league win in a row. Now, all they can do is wait.
REVEALED: THE FIVE TOTTENHAM PLAYERS BARCELONA WANT IF SPURS DROP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Barcelona scouts identified Xavi Simons, Lucas Bergvall, Van de Ven, Romero, and Porro as potential summer transfer targets.
Barcelona’s got its eye on Tottenham, and if Spurs end up dropping out of the Premier League, things could get wild. You can see why there’s talk that Barcelona’s ready to swoop in and scoop up some of Tottenham’s top talent on the cheap, especially since Tottenham’s facing the possibility of relegation. It’s a mess in North London right now, and Barcelona’s not the only big club watching closely.
Diario SPORT says Barcelona is scouting at least five of Tottenham’s key players. If Spurs really do go down, suddenly a bunch of their stars could be up for grabs at knockdown prices. And with Barcelona still juggling its finances, bargain deals like these are tough for it to pass up.
Xavi Simons is one they’re watching closely. He came up through La Masia, so bringing him back would feel like coming home, plus he’d add plenty of flair and versatility in midfield. Lucas Bergvall’s interesting, too; he almost joined Barcelona before picking Spurs. Injuries and lack of minutes have slowed him down in London, but Barcelona hasn’t stopped believing he’s got huge potential. They could finally land him after missing out on him a couple of years ago.
In defence, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are high on Barca’s wish list. Both guys have proven themselves in the Premier League, and adding them would instantly boost Barcelona’s options at the back. Van de Ven stands out for his speed and ability to play from deep; he’d be a great partner for Pau Cubarsi, and together they could form one of Europe’s most balanced defensive duos.
Pedro Porro’s name is also in the mix. He’d fit right into Barcelona’s attacking style at right-back, but whether they go for him depends on what happens with Jules Kounde. If Barcelona decides to sell Kounde to help balance the books, Porro’s seen as the go-to replacement to deliver attacking runs from defence, which Hansi Flick wants.
All this talk hangs on how Tottenham finishes the season. There are only four Premier League games left, and if Spurs manage to stay up, these deals get way trickier. If they go down, expect a rush of bids not just from Barcelona but also from clubs all over Europe. Still, the chance to play at Camp Nou and return to Champions League football is a big draw, so Barcelona might have the upper hand as things heat up this summer.
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