Barcelona plan cut-price Rashford bid as United weigh wage bill against transfer fee

Barcelona are plotting a below-valuation bid for Marcus Rashford, offering just over half of the £26 million purchase option inserted into his loan agreement with Manchester United last summer, according to reports. The Catalan club are gambling that United’s desire to remove Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary from their wage bill will force the Old Trafford side to accept a cut-price deal. Rashford remains under contract with United until 2028.

Rashford himself has reportedly agreed to accept close to a 50 per cent wage reduction in order to remain at Camp Nou, where he produced 14 goals and 14 assists across 49 appearances in all competitions this season. The 28-year-old is said to have planned talks with United as he seeks clarity on his future ahead of England’s World Cup campaign.

Barcelona’s position is complicated by their own busy transfer window. The club have already signed Anthony Gordon and are reportedly pursuing Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez. They are also said to be targeting Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer, offering around £80,000 a week — a substantial reduction on his current City earnings. Reports from Spain suggest Silva’s arrival could effectively end Rashford’s chances of a second season at the club.

Should Barcelona walk away, Rashford has alternatives. Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with the forward, while Bayern Munich are also considered a possible destination after missing out on Gordon. United would prefer not to sell to a direct Premier League rival but are reported to be open to offers at the right price.

Former United striker Teddy Sheringham has not ruled out a return to Old Trafford either. “Yes, things can turn around,” Sheringham said. “If he did want to come back he could explain his motives over the last couple of years. Did he have a problem with Ruben Amorim? Or does he have a problem with the football club? If he’s got no problem with the club, and it was all due to the previous manager, that’s an issue that can be solved and all can be forgiven — but some of the performances he was putting in during his last season weren’t great. He’d need to turn things around and win people back again.”