Manchester United could be set for a bizarre transfer saga involving Marcus Rashford this summer. In a shock revelation, it has emerged that Barcelona are considering triggering their purchase option for the 28-year-old—only to potentially sell him straight back to the Premier League for a profit.
Rashford, who has revitalized his career on loan in La Liga, has a £26 million buy-option in his current deal. However, Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles have led to a “ruthless” tactical maneuver in the transfer market.
The £30m “Market Opportunity”
According to La Liga expert Guillem Balague, Barcelona sporting director Deco identified Rashford as a massive “market opportunity” due to his low valuation.
“They thought that if he did what was expected, they would pay for it,” Balague told MEN Sport. “But they could buy him anyway and sell him on in the Premier League because he’s still got a big market there.”
Aston Villa Waiting in the Wings?
The most shocking part of the “twist” is the reported interest from Aston Villa. Balague revealed that Deco has already held talks with people at Villa Park.
With United surprisingly willing to let their former academy star go for a relatively low fee, Barcelona believe they can negotiate the price down even further than £26m, only to flip the player for a significant profit to a Premier League rival like Villa.
United’s Stance: Watching from the Sidelines
For Manchester United, the situation is complex:
- The Loss: Selling a homegrown talent for under £30m is a tough pill to swallow for many fans.
- The Gain: Clearing Rashford’s massive wages (around £300k-per-week) has already helped the club post a £32.6m operating profit this year.
Rashford’s Preference: Stay or Return?
Despite the board’s “buy-to-sell” discussions, Rashford’s own intention has always been to stay in Spain, where he has found his best form in years. However, with Barcelona needing to balance their books, the player’s fate might be out of his hands if a lucrative Premier League bid arrives at the Camp Nou this July.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
