Barcelona make final decision with Man Utd over £26m Marcus Rashford transfer | Football

Barcelona will complete the €30 million (£26.3m) signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United at the earliest opportunity, according to reports in Spain.

Rashford was allowed to join Barcelona on loan last summer after he was frozen out of United’s first-team squad by Ruben Amorim.

The 28-year-old has impressed at Barca this season with 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances so far.

Last month, reports had claimed that Barca were weighing up whether to negotiate the €30m (£26.3m) option to buy fee with United.

Michael Carrick, who replaced Amorim as United’s manager until the end of the season, is also understood to be keen on offering Rashford a way back at Old Trafford if he is kept on beyond the current campaign.

However, Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona have now agreed with United to pay the €30m (£26.3m) option in €10m (£8.7m) instalments.

The report adds that Barca have also agreed personal terms with Rashford to remain at the club beyond this season.

After securing a deal to sign Rashford from United on loan, Barca’s sporting director, Deco, told The Times: ‘Marcus is a fantastic player. He faced the responsibility of becoming an important player at Man United — United, like us, are one of the biggest clubs in the world — too young. He suffered a bit with this change of generation at United too.

‘If you see United in the last five years, they had difficulties rebuilding the team, to become stronger again. He was there. So it’s not easy for a player [from whom] people demand a lot. When you are an important player, you have a lot of responsibility.

‘We were looking for a player like him on the market. A player that could play in the three positions up front. We were able to sign Marcus on loan now because of his desire to play for Barcelona. He waited a lot. He knew that we were dealing with financial rules. But he was patient. He waited and we’re happy to have him.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Bayer Leverkusen chief makes Arsenal ‘favourites’ claim after Champions League draw

MORE: Bukayo Saka injury latest ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea

MORE: Michael Carrick sends message to Man Utd board over getting defender deal done