Rashford's Barcelona dream fades as Real Madrid reunion with Mourinho emerges

Marcus Rashford’s hopes of making his Barcelona loan permanent have collapsed, leaving the Manchester United forward facing an uncertain summer — and reviving speculation over a potential move to Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho.

Rashford, 28, contributed 14 goals and 14 assists during his loan spell at the Nou Camp, helping Barcelona win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Despite those numbers, the Catalan club have decided against triggering the £26 million purchase option in his loan agreement, reportedly preferring to spend £70 million on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon instead.

Spanish outlet Marca reported that Gordon was chosen over Rashford partly because of his greater defensive contribution. The publication described Rashford’s defending as his “weakest point” and noted that Gordon, at 25, is three years younger. Rashford’s reported £315,000-a-week wages were also cited as a sticking point. Barcelona are said to have offered around £13 million — roughly half of United’s asking price — a figure the Old Trafford club flatly rejected.

With the Barcelona chapter effectively closed, attention has turned to Real Madrid. Mourinho is widely expected to take charge at the Bernabeu for a second spell this summer, and his history with Rashford adds an intriguing dimension. The Portuguese managed Rashford at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, a period during which the forward established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers.

Comments Rashford made in 2021 have resurfaced in light of the latest developments. Asked about a potential move to Spain, he said: “I would never say no. Other than United? I’m a big fan of Real Madrid and Barcelona, because they’ve always had great players and played attractive football. Everybody watches Real Madrid and Barcelona.”

Rashford’s route to Barcelona began after he fell out of favour under United manager Ruben Amorim, who loaned him to Aston Villa for six months in January 2025 before he joined Barcelona in the summer of 2025. Whether a move to Madrid’s other superpower now materialises remains to be seen, but the groundwork — in Rashford’s own words, at least — has long been laid.