Barcelona Set to Activate €30 Million Option to Sign Marcus Rashford Permanently From Manchester United

Barcelona have reached a unanimous decision to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis, according to reports from Diario Sport and SPORT on February 6. The Catalan club will activate the €30 million option clause included in the 28-year-old's loan agreement and offer him a three-year contract at Camp Nou, marking one of the most significant transfers of the 2026 winter window. The decision comes after extensive deliberations between sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, both of whom have been thoroughly impressed with Rashford's conduct, adaptability, and performances since joining on loan earlier in the season. Sources close to the club indicate that Barcelona explored the possibility of negotiating a lower fee with Manchester United but learned that the Red Devils would not be willing to reduce their asking price "by a single euro." Faced with this firm stance, Barcelona determined that the €30 million represented excellent value for a player of Rashford's caliber. Rashford has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Barcelona since his January loan move, directly contributing to 23 goals in 33 matches across all competitions. His versatility across the front line, pace, and finishing ability have made him a key component of Flick's attacking setup. Both the coaching staff and management believe it would be "virtually impossible" to find a player of equivalent quality who could contribute at the same level, making the permanent signing a strategic priority for the club's sporting project. The financial aspects of the deal appear manageable within Barcelona's complex wage structure, particularly because Rashford has agreed to adjust his salary from his previous Manchester United contract. This willingness to accommodate the club's financial constraints has been viewed positively by Barcelona's hierarchy and has smoothed negotiations considerably. The England international is expected to sign a three-year deal that will keep him at Camp Nou through the 2028-29 season. The permanent acquisition represents a major coup for Barcelona and a significant loss for Manchester United, who are now resigned to losing one of their academy graduates. Rashford's departure from Old Trafford marks the end of a 20-year association with United, where he rose through the youth ranks to become a first-team regular and England international. For Barcelona, securing Rashford permanently provides attacking stability and quality as they continue to challenge for La Liga and Champions League honors under Hansi Flick's management.