Barcelona's St. George's Park pre-season plan sets up Rashford reunion if £26m deal is sealed

Barcelona’s announcement of a pre-season training camp at St. George’s Park has added an unexpected subplot to Marcus Rashford’s unresolved future, with the 28-year-old potentially returning to England’s national football centre as a permanent Barça player rather than a Manchester United loanee.

The Catalan club confirmed they will base themselves at St. George’s Park from July 27 to August 3 as part of their 2026/27 pre-season programme, which begins on July 13 with medical check-ups and physical tests at the Ciutat Esportiva. Barcelona previously used the same Staffordshire facility during their 2014 and 2016 summer schedules.

In a statement on the club’s official website, Barcelona said: “From July 27 to August 3, the blaugranes will be at St George’s Park, one of the main centres for football in England and a regular base for the England national team.”

Rashford’s loan spell at the Camp Nou this season produced 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances, and the forward has made clear his desire to make the move permanent. Manager Hansi Flick has reportedly urged the club to finalise a deal so he can continue working with the England international.

However, no agreement has been reached. Barcelona are understood to want to negotiate a fee below United’s £26m asking price, while the Old Trafford club are holding firm on their valuation.

The situation has been complicated further by Barcelona’s £70m acquisition of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon. The fee — nearly three times what United are asking for Rashford — undermines any argument from the Spanish club that financial constraints prevent them from meeting United’s terms. Gordon also brings direct competition for Rashford’s preferred left-wing berth.

With pre-season approaching and no deal in place, the window for Rashford to be part of Flick’s squad at St. George’s Park is narrowing. United will be equally aware that a player who has publicly lobbied for a permanent exit is unlikely to feature prominently in their own pre-season plans.