Barcelona plan half-price Rashford bid as United eye Lille winger Fernandez-Pardo

Manchester United are holding firm on the £26 million buy option in Marcus Rashford’s loan contract after Barcelona indicated they want to acquire the forward for just £13 million — half the agreed fee. Should United refuse to accept the reduced figure, Rashford will not return to Spain next season, according to reports.

Barcelona reportedly have until 15 June to trigger the buy option, but their position has been complicated by the £69.3 million signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, which already fills their left-wing berth. Rashford, 28, was part of the La Liga title-winning squad this season and spoke warmly about his time in Spain after the championship was secured.

“This is the perfect way I want it to end,” Rashford said. “I’m very happy, I just want to enjoy today. I live in the moment. At the end of the season we will see. I came here to win and we do this so I’m very happy. It’s an incredible feeling. Over the season we deserved it, we were the best team. We had some bad moments but we always come back and fight to improve.”

With Rashford’s future unresolved, United manager Michael Carrick is also exploring attacking reinforcements ahead of a return to the Champions League. United and Manchester City are both reportedly interested in Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 21-year-old Belgian international scored eight goals in 29 Ligue 1 appearances this season and can operate on the left or through the centre.

Carrick’s primary focus this summer is strengthening United’s midfield, but the prospect of competing across four competitions has made attacking depth a secondary priority. With just seven weeks until United’s first pre-season friendly, the club’s recruitment work is already well underway.