Barcelona have made a decision on signing Marcus Rashford permanently from Manchester United after his first few months at the club.
Rashford said he felt like he was ‘at home’ after joining Barca on an initial season-long loan deal back in July.
The England international last played for Manchester United in December 2024 after being dropped by Old Trafford boss Ruben Amorim and eventually banished from the first team.
Rashford showed glimpses of his potential during a loan spell at Aston Villa in the second-half of last season and has continued to impress this term at the Nou Camp.
The 27-year-old has scored three goals and made four assists in his first ten games for Barca, with two of his goals coming in a Champions League win over Newcastle United.
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According to The Sun, Barcelona are ‘ecstatic’ with Rashford’s early form at the club and already intend to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer.
During talks with Barca over the summer, Manchester United agreed the Spanish champions could sign Rashford permanently for just over £30m in a year’s time.
That means Rashford has most likely played his last game for United, the club he first joined at the age of eight before going on to make 426 first-team appearances for.
Rashford looked at best misused and at worst disinterested during the latter stages of his lengthy Old Trafford spell but Barcelona have been impressed by his ‘work ethic and talent’.
He became the first male England player to play for Barca since former striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta was reportedly left ‘stunned’ Manchester United were willing to part ways with Rashford, especially for a relatively small fee.
Rashford came on as a second-half substitute in England’s routine friendly win over Wales on Thursday night and could start Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia.
Discussing Rashford’s struggles at Old Trafford, Barcelona chief Deco recently said: ‘What we thought he could bring to us, he’s bringing.
‘He’s a very high-level player; he exploded very early, then he had great seasons at United, then he had more complicated management years with changes of coaches, and perhaps he also struggled because they demanded a lot of things from him there.
‘But we’re happy with him; that’s the most important thing.’
On the possibility of Rashford staying at Barcelona beyond this season’s loan, Deco added: ‘He has a simple loan, there’s no penalty. If we want him, we have a purchase option.
‘It’s too early to talk about decisions for next season, but what matters is that we’re happy with him.
‘These aren’t decisions for now; now it’s time to focus on the upcoming games. A decision will be made, but that’s not being discussed now.
‘There’s a contract between the clubs, but it needs to be discussed.’
Rashford, meanwhile, admitted he was relishing his time at Barcelona while speaking after a Champions League game last month.
‘It’s going good,’ he told TNT Sports. ‘Obviously learning a lot, it’s a new way of football.
‘I’m enjoying it all and I think it’s making me a better player. That’s what I’m here to do, help the team win but also try and improve and be the best I can.
‘Honestly it’s an amazing experience, I’ve always been a huge admirer of Barcelona.
‘Most people my age have watched them play from when we were younger, so it’s amazing football, amazing players and we just want to win as much as possible.’
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