News Focus
- Hansi Flick has told Barcelona chiefs he wants Marcus Rashford to stay at the club
- Rashford scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists during his loan spell in Spain
- Barcelona refuse to pay the €30 million buy clause set by Manchester United
- Old Trafford bosses have rejected another loan and demand a permanent sale only
- Sporting director Deco must now negotiate new terms to keep the England forward
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has ended weeks of speculation by declaring he wants Marcus Rashford to remain at the club. The German manager has informed club leaders that the Manchester United loanee should stay for next season.
Rashford has enjoyed a strong spell at the Catalan giants. He found the net 14 times and created 11 goals across all competitions. Despite these numbers, he spent much of the final weeks sitting on the substitutes’ bench.
The England forward has made clear he wishes to continue in Spain. He told supporters of his desire to stay after Barcelona lifted the La Liga trophy. Flick supports this idea. He has praised the player’s professional attitude on the training pitch and in the dressing room, even when not selected in the starting eleven.
However, sealing a permanent deal faces serious obstacles. Barcelona will not trigger the €30 million fee written into the original loan agreement. The club had hoped to arrange a second temporary spell, but Manchester United rejected this proposal. Officials at Old Trafford will only agree to a full sale.
Sporting director Deco now faces difficult negotiations with the Premier League side. United remain firm on their asking price, while Barcelona work with a tight budget. Unless the English club lowers their demands, Rashford may have to return to Manchester despite Flick’s public backing.