Rashford keen on Barcelona return despite permanent £26m move ruled out by Spanish club

Marcus Rashford wants to continue his career at Barcelona despite the Spanish club deciding against signing him permanently from Manchester United, according to reports from Spain.

Rashford, 28, spent the 2025/26 season on loan at the Camp Nou, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists — a return that earned him a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Barcelona held an option to sign him outright for £26 million but chose not to exercise it, leaving the forward’s future uncertain heading into the summer window.

Spanish outlet Marca reports that Rashford remains fully committed to finding a way back to Barcelona, whether through a second loan arrangement or a newly negotiated transfer fee with United. The forward is said to have been encouraged by Barça head coach Hansi Flick, who has reached out to signal that another deal could be pursued.

His prospects of returning to Catalonia were complicated, however, after Barcelona moved to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for around £69 million, adding competition for wide attacking positions.

Separate reports suggest that a return to United’s first-team squad under manager Michael Carrick has not been ruled out either. Carrick is said to have kept in regular contact with Rashford, and the forward has reportedly sounded out some teammates about the possibility of reintegrating at Old Trafford.

Carrick addressed the situation in April without closing the door on a reunion. “I just think there’s decisions to be made in time on certain things and obviously Marcus is in that situation,” he said. “But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided. And it will be, because it has to be at a certain point. But at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

Rashford’s immediate focus remains the World Cup with England, after which the competing interests of Barcelona and United — and the player himself — will need to be resolved.