Rashford's Barcelona future complicated by £70m Gordon signing as permanent deal stalls

Marcus Rashford’s future at Barcelona remains unresolved this summer, with Manchester United holding firm on their £26m asking price even as the Spanish club signed Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for £70m — a figure that significantly weakens Barca’s argument that they cannot meet United’s valuation.

Rashford, 28, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at the Camp Nou and delivered one of the most productive campaigns of his career, scoring 14 goals and registering 14 assists in 49 appearances. His form included a goal against Real Madrid in El Clasico that helped Barcelona clinch La Liga under Hansi Flick. Yet despite that output, no permanent agreement has been reached, with reports suggesting Barcelona want to complete the deal at a lower fee than United are willing to accept.

Flick has publicly backed Rashford and is said to have urged the club to secure his signature on a permanent basis. The England forward has also made clear he wants to stay, telling reporters after the Clasico: “I don’t know. I am not a magician, but if I was, I would stay. So we will see.”

The Gordon transfer, however, has shifted the dynamics of the negotiation. Not only does the £70m deal bring direct competition for Rashford on the left wing, it also signals that Barcelona are capable of spending at significant levels — making it harder for them to justify a discounted offer to United.

Adding a quirky footnote to the saga, Barcelona have announced they will train at St. George’s Park — the home of England’s national teams — for one week between July 27 and August 3 as part of their pre-season programme. Should Rashford complete a permanent move to Catalonia before that date, he could find himself back on familiar English soil almost immediately. Barcelona previously used the Burton facility during their 2014 and 2016 pre-seasons.

For now, the deal remains in limbo, with United’s stance unchanged and Barcelona yet to table a bid that matches their demands.