Bernardo Silva's free transfer to Barcelona could end Rashford's stay at Camp Nou

Marcus Rashford’s hopes of making his Barcelona loan move permanent are under serious threat, with Spanish publication Sport reporting that the club’s pursuit of Bernardo Silva would effectively end any chance of signing the England forward ahead of the June 15 option deadline.

Silva is set to leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of next month, and Barcelona are reportedly willing to offer the Portugal midfielder around £80,000 a week — a notable pay cut on his City earnings — to bring him to the Spotify Camp Nou on a free transfer. The Times first reported Barca’s interest in Silva on Thursday night.

The timing creates a significant problem for Rashford. United have made clear they will not negotiate a reduction on the agreed £26 million fee, while co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be reluctant to take the 27-year-old back at Old Trafford if the deal collapses. Barcelona, meanwhile, have already committed heavily in the current window, agreeing a deal worth in excess of €80 million — approximately £69.3 million — to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle, with the winger in Spain undergoing his medical.

Despite the uncertainty, Rashford has had a productive loan spell under Hansi Flick. His free-kick helped seal the La Liga title against Real Madrid in El Clasico earlier this month, and he has reportedly impressed the Barcelona head coach throughout the season.

Rashford addressed his future last month, stopping short of any firm prediction. “I am not a magician, but if I was, I would stay,” he said. “We will see. I came here to win. I want to win as many things as I can.”

He added: “This is a wonderful team, they’re going to win so much in the future. To be a part of that would be special. I always had an admiration for Barcelona, they were my second team so it is a dream to come here and win.”

With the purchase option expiring on June 15 and Barcelona’s transfer budget increasingly stretched, Rashford faces the prospect of returning to a Manchester United side that froze him out before sanctioning his loan departure last summer.