Barcelona set to let £26m Rashford clause expire, leaving Man Utd forward's future unresolved

Barcelona are set to allow their £26 million purchase option on Marcus Rashford to expire on June 15 without triggering it, leaving the Manchester United forward facing a return to Old Trafford unless a rival club moves during the World Cup.

Rashford spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Camp Nou, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances as Barcelona claimed a second consecutive La Liga title. Despite that productive campaign, reports emerged on Wednesday indicating the Catalan club will not make the deal permanent, though no formal communication has yet been sent to United.

According to the BBC, the most likely window for a resolution is the three-week period between the World Cup’s conclusion and the start of pre-season. Barcelona have insisted a definitive decision will arrive before the June 15 deadline, while United have made clear they have no intention of renegotiating the terms of any deal.

Sources close to Rashford reportedly believe the deadline will pass without agreement, pointing him back towards United for pre-season. However, the World Cup offers a potential lifeline: if he impresses during the tournament, rival clubs could enter the picture before that window closes.

Rashford is competing with Anthony Gordon — who joined Barcelona from Newcastle for £69.3 million — for the starting left-wing role in the England setup. He has attracted interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich this summer, with United keen to sell in order to raise transfer funds.

United manager Michael Carrick, who worked alongside Rashford both as a player and a coach, addressed the situation in April. “There are decisions to be made in time on certain things. Marcus is in that situation,” Carrick said ahead of a Premier League fixture against Chelsea. “At this point in time, nothing has been decided. It will be at a certain point because it has to be, but at this stage nothing has been decided.”

With the June 15 deadline now days away and no deal in sight, the 28-year-old’s immediate future appears set to hinge on what unfolds during the World Cup.