“Barcelona gives up on Rashford and Deco regrets crucial mistake.”

Barcelona is on the verge of abandoning the permanent signing of Marcus Rashford, sources close to the Catalan club report, in a turn of events that surprises fans and experts in European football. The English forward, currently on loan from Manchester United, has been one of the standout figures in the Blaugrana squad, but negotiations to secure his permanent stay are sinking into financial and strategic deadlocks.

Since the start of the season, Rashford has shown talent and adaptability at Barça, which fueled rumors about activating the €30 million buyout clause. However, the Catalan club has been trying to renegotiate the terms, preferring a second loan instead of paying the full amount, while Manchester United remains firm on the clause’s requirements.

Journalist Florian Plettenberg revealed that talks between Barcelona and Manchester United are ongoing, but Barça insists on a loan solution with the possibility of a reduced price, a position that does not sit well with the English side. Rashford, for his part, has expressed a desire to continue in Catalonia and is said to have agreed on personal terms to extend his stay, but the lack of agreement between the clubs threatens to derail the deal.

Ben Jacobs adds that Barcelona’s interest has not completely faded, despite the cooling of negotiations. Manchester United remains steadfast regarding the full payment of the release clause, a situation that may lead Barça to seek alternatives in the market.

In this uncertain scenario, the Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Barcelona is indeed willing to abandon the operation, opening the door to other interested parties. Tottenham emerges as a serious candidate to secure the signing of Rashford, especially if they manage to stay in the Premier League.

Even more surprising is the opinion of former player Deco, who laments Barcelona’s choice of Rashford over other options, namely Luis Díaz, whose brilliant performance in Bayern Munich’s match against Paris Saint-Germain impressed the former midfielder. Deco admits that, considering Díaz’s current form, Rashford may not have been the best option for Barça.

This development puts Rashford’s future in Barcelona at risk and promises to shake up the European transfer market, with crucial decisions to be made in the coming weeks. Barça fans and supporters of the English player are now awaiting a resolution that could change the course of the season and the careers involved.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.