Barcelona's move for Adeyemi hands Rashford a blow in his bid to join Spotify Nou Camp

Barcelona have made a £17m offer for Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, according to ESPN, dealing a double blow to both Manchester United and Marcus Rashford. The Spanish club have reached a loose agreement with the 24-year-old over personal terms but remain in negotiations with Dortmund, with the deal described as “not imminent” and “nothing has been signed.”

United had been keen on Adeyemi before Barcelona moved, and the German international’s potential arrival at the Spotify Nou Camp now directly undermines Rashford’s own hopes of joining the club. Rashford, who has two years remaining on his United contract, had set his heart on a move to Barcelona, but the club’s pursuit of Adeyemi — valued at £35m — signals they are building their wide options elsewhere. Barcelona have already signed England winger Anthony Gordon, and pairing him with Adeyemi would give them a formidable attacking width in next season’s Champions League.

Rashford’s situation at Old Trafford remains unresolved. Newcastle were priced out of a move for the forward earlier this summer, and no firm bids have materialised. The England international said last week that he had wanted any transfer concluded before the World Cup, but is now prepared to wait until after the tournament. “I was very clear. I wanted any move done before the World Cup. If it’s not, I wanted it to wait until after. I want to be fully present in the moment,” Rashford said. “I don’t have the energy to dedicate to [thinking about club uncertainty].”

Teammate Harry Maguire struck a conciliatory tone when speaking about Rashford’s future, insisting the forward would be welcomed back at Old Trafford should a permanent sale not materialise. “I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and have had some great times with him over the years,” Maguire told Netflix’s The Rest Is Football. “I know what a wonderful player he can be. It’s up to the club and up to Marcus and finding a mutual agreement. Of course, if Marcus does come back, we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident. It needs to be right for him. It needs to be right for the club.”

United’s preference remains a permanent sale, but with Adeyemi now edging closer to Barcelona and no concrete offers on the table for Rashford, the path forward for both club and player grows increasingly complicated.