Bayern Munich ready to meet £34.5m asking price for Rashford as Barcelona balk at permanent deal

Bayern Munich are prepared to meet Manchester United’s £34.5m asking price for Marcus Rashford, according to reports, as Barcelona’s hesitation over making his loan move permanent opens the door for a Bundesliga switch.

Rashford, 28, spent the second half of last season on loan at the Nou Camp, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances under Hansi Flick. He won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup during his time in Catalonia, but Barcelona are reportedly unwilling to pay the full £26m required to sign him outright, leaving his future unresolved.

With Rashford currently on international duty at the World Cup, a final decision on his next club is expected once the tournament concludes. Bayern’s interest has been given fresh momentum by Liverpool’s firm stance over teenage winger Rio Ngumoha. The Liverpool Echo reported that sources at Anfield regard the 17-year-old as “potentially elite” and that the club have no intention of selling him, effectively shutting down Bayern’s reported pursuit.

With Ngumoha unavailable, Bayern are said to be pivoting towards Rashford as an alternative wide option. The Sun reports that the Bundesliga club have no issue matching United’s valuation, though Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages remain a potential obstacle. Notably, the England winger was reportedly willing to accept a pay cut to join Barcelona, which may indicate flexibility on that front.

A move to Munich would place Rashford alongside Harry Kane, who has been in extraordinary form for Bayern since his 2023 arrival — scoring 61 goals this season alone and winning two league titles and two domestic cups. Kane’s influence could prove significant in helping Rashford re-establish himself at the highest level after a difficult period at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has maintained that no definitive decision has been made regarding Rashford’s future. Speaking in April, Carrick said: “There are decisions to be made in time on certain things. Marcus is in tha—” with his comments cut short in available reports. Carrick is understood to share a strong personal relationship with the forward, which may yet play a role in how the situation develops once the World Cup is over.