The chances of Marcus Rashford staying at Barcelona next season are dwindling by the day. At the moment, the Blaugrana’s sporting management is no longer so sure that it is worth paying the 30 million euros set in the purchase option agreed with Manchester United last summer. The Catalan club considers this outlay excessive in the current economic context, while from England the position is firm: either this amount is paid or the striker will return to Old Trafford.
The final decision, in any case, has not yet been made. It is pending a key meeting between Deco and Hansi Flick, in which decisions will begin to be made for the next project. The two have a fluid relationship and have been analyzing the suitability of executing this option for some time. However, what before Christmas seemed to be an almost assured operation has cooled down to the point where it is now close to being ruled out.
Performance
The main reason is the noticeable drop in the England international’s performance in 2023. His figures are far from those he signed in his first months as a Barcelona player: just two goals in the last 16 games. In addition, he has not been able to take advantage of Raphinha’s absence due to injury to consolidate himself as a key player in attack.
Market value
This decline in performance has raised doubts among the sporting hierarchy, who no longer see the player as a key player. Added to this is the economic impact of the deal. Although the 30 million euros could be considered a reasonable market price, his valuation, according to Transfermarkt, is even 10 million euros higher, the operation would have a significant weight in the club’s accounts.
Impact on wage bill
In terms of financial fair play, Rashford would cost around 25 million euros between salary and annual transfer amortization, a high figure for a player whose performance is uncertain.
One month until the end
Barcelona understand that an investment of this magnitude is only justified with clear sporting guarantees, something the striker has not offered in recent months. Only a radical change in his performance in the final stretch of the season could reopen the debate, although the margin is already very limited and with few decisive matches left to play.
Other alternatives
In this scenario, the club’s sporting management has been exploring alternatives in the market for some time. The objective is to reinforce a key position in which Raphinha is indisputable, but which needs competition and reliable replacements, especially considering the physical problems that the Brazilian has suffered.