Barcelona let £26m Rashford option expire, leaving Bayern Munich as likeliest destination

Barcelona’s option to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United on a permanent basis for £26 million has expired, forcing the Spanish club to renegotiate if they still want the England forward — and leaving his immediate future unresolved as the summer transfer window progresses.

The option, attached to Rashford’s season-long loan at the Nou Camp, lapsed at midnight on Monday. Rashford contributed 14 goals and 14 assists during his loan spell as Barcelona won La Liga, but the club’s decision to spend £70 million signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle at the start of the window has significantly complicated his prospects of staying in Catalonia. Gordon occupies the same left-wing position, and United are understood to have no interest in agreeing another loan arrangement if Barcelona come back to the table.

United’s preference is clear: a permanent sale this summer. Rashford has two years remaining on a £325,000-per-week contract signed in 2023 following a 30-goal season, and offloading him is considered a priority as the club continues to reduce its wage bill under Ineos. His number 10 shirt was handed to new signing Matheus Cunha last year, underlining how far his standing at Old Trafford has shifted.

Bayern Munich have emerged as a credible alternative. The Bundesliga giants considered Rashford after missing out on Gordon, and have a recent track record of recruiting from England — Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have all made the move to Bavaria in recent years.

Rashford is currently representing England at the World Cup, with the final scheduled for July 19. Regardless of how far England progress, he is expected to report for United’s pre-season after a short break, and would theoretically be available for the club’s final pre-season friendly against AC Milan on August 15.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick was asked about Rashford’s future two months ago and stopped short of closing the door on a return. “I just think there are decisions to be made in time, really, on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation,” Carrick said. “But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

Carrick added that he would not be drawn on the specifics of Rashford’s situation: “There’s uncertainties, for sure. But for me, individual players who I’m able to work with in this part of the squad — I enjoy doing that, and trying to get the best out of them.”

With Barcelona needing to open fresh negotiations and Bayern Munich circling, United will be hoping the competition between potential buyers strengthens their hand in securing a permanent fee before the window closes.