The future of Marcus Rashford at Barcelona hangs by a thread and may surprisingly depend on the sale of Raphinha in this summer transfer window. The Blaugrana, still grappling with severe financial constraints, view the departure of the Brazilian international as the key to unlocking the permanent signing of the English forward, who shone in Catalonia during the 2025/26 season.
Barcelona remains determined to secure Rashford’s return after the Englishman impressed during his loan spell at the club, where he scored 14 goals in all competitions and played a decisive role in winning the second consecutive La Liga title under the guidance of Hansi Flick. Nevertheless, the Spanish club is struggling to meet the demands of Manchester United, which is asking for £35 million for the 28-year-old forward.
The financial pressure on Barcelona is evident, with priorities divided between strengthening other areas of the squad—namely the defense, where Flick wants to invest in two players—and a potential €70 million deal for Anthony Gordon from Newcastle. This scenario further complicates the chances of moving forward with the purchase of Rashford, despite the player’s expressed desire to remain in Spain.
Rashford has made his intention to stay at Barcelona clear, openly expressing his desire to remain in Spain after the end of his loan. “I loved the experience in Barcelona and I really want to keep playing here,” the English forward stated at the end of the season during a press conference marking the conclusion of La Liga. However, the financial uncertainty surrounding the Catalans means that the player’s immediate future is far from guaranteed.
The outcome of this saga may largely depend on Raphinha’s situation. The Brazilian, who previously rejected a transfer to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2024, is once again the target of a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League. A sale for around 50 million euros would allow Barcelona to free up enough funds to approach Manchester United and try to secure Rashford, covering the departure of Robert Lewandowski, whose contract recently expired and is now considering a move to MLS.
Coach Hansi Flick finds himself at a crossroads of decisions. On one hand, he wants to keep Rashford, a key player in the team’s offensive play; on the other, he must respond to the need to strengthen the defensive sector, all while facing pressure to balance the club’s finances. The arrival of Anthony Gordon, if confirmed, could be an asset, but only Raphinha’s departure will provide the necessary liquidity to ensure Rashford’s continuity.
The coming days will be decisive. Rashford, currently focused on the England national team at the 2026 World Cup, plans to reassess all options after the tournament. On Barcelona’s side, there remains hope for a financial arrangement that would allow them to make a strong push in the market and retain one of last season’s biggest stars. “The club is doing everything it can to keep me, but there are factors I can’t control,” Rashford acknowledged, visibly anxious for a quick resolution.
If Raphinha accepts the offer from Saudi Arabia, the Blaugrana structure gains leeway to negotiate with Manchester United and keep the Englishman in Catalonia, ensuring stability and ambition to tackle the upcoming season. Otherwise, the risk of losing Rashford to the competition increases exponentially, leaving Flick with a monumental challenge on his hands. The saga promises to drag on until the last minute of the transfer market, with fans and analysts following every move of Barcelona, Manchester, and the main protagonists of this story.
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