Marcus Rashford: Why do Barcelona want to sign the Manchester United forward?

If United, who finished 15th in the Premier League last season, don’t want Rashford – why are La Liga champions Barcelona after him?

Barca haven’t exactly struggled for goals over the past year, scoring 102 on their way to winning the league.

They also netted 43 as they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2024-25, the second-most in a single campaign.

If anything, their shortcomings were at the back rather than up front.

But that hasn’t stopped them seeking attacking reinforcements.

“Strengthening the left-hand side of the forward line has been Barcelona’s priority all summer and, for a long time, it appeared they’d be successful in snapping up their number one target, Nico Williams,” said Spanish football writer Andy West.

“But the Athletic Bilbao winger eventually opted to sign a new contract with his current club, so Barca were forced to look elsewhere, with an attempted move for Liverpool’s Luis Diaz also falling through.”

While they would have been prepared to pay a fee for both Williams and Diaz, there is a financial advantage to signing Rashford – the deal would initially be on loan with an option to buy.

“Barcelona’s long-standing financial problems are still an issue and they were hoping to raise funds by selling goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has been supplanted by new signing Joan Garcia,” added West.

“But that plan has been foiled by the German veteran requiring back surgery, which means that signing Rashford on loan has become even more enticing.”

Stone added: “If it is a loan with an option to buy as expected, Barca can’t lose.

“Don’t forget, Chelsea effectively loaned Jadon Sancho for a season, then sent him back to Manchester United despite having an obligation to buy after an inconsistent campaign.”