Marcus Rashford has been a revelation at Barcelona, but his dream permanent move to the Nou Camp is suddenly under threat. As the club prepares for a pivotal presidential election on March 15, candidates are divided: buy the resurgent Englishman or bet on the future of La Masia.
Rashford’s loan deal from Manchester United includes a £26 million purchase option a fee now considered a “bargain” given his return of 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 games this season. However, preliminary candidate Xavier Vilajoana has thrown a spanner in the works by suggesting the club should prioritize 19-year-old Jan Virgili.
The Jan Virgili Alternative
Vilajoana, a former head of La Masia, believes the club’s DNA demands looking inward before spending outward. Barcelona holds a buy-back clause for Virgili, who has impressed at Mallorca with six assists this term.
“I believe you should always look in-house first,” Vilajoana told ESPN. “For example, Jan Virgili is a great winger. I would maybe look at re-signing him rather than paying the Rashford clause.”
While Vilajoana acknowledges that the ultimate decision rests with whoever wins the election, his stance represents a growing movement within the club to protect its academy roots despite Rashford being nine years Virgili’s senior and a proven world-class performer.
The Laporta vs. The Rivals
The March 15 election features four key figures:
- Joan Laporta: The current favourite and a huge fan of Rashford.
- Victor Font & Marc Ciria: Challengers who may seek different sporting directors and priorities.
- Xavier Vilajoana: The candidate pushing for the “La Masia first” approach.
What This Means for Manchester United
Back at Old Trafford, the “media optics” of selling a revitalized Rashford for just £26m are reportedly worrying Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board. With Michael Carrick now in charge and known to value Rashford’s skillset, any hesitation from Barcelona could open the door for a sensational U-turn.
Rashford is said to be happy in Spain and has even reportedly withdrawn nearly £9m from business ventures to prepare for a permanent life in Catalunya. However, if the new Barcelona president decides to trigger the Virgili clause instead, Rashford could find himself back at Carrington this summer—facing a fresh start under Carrick.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
