Marcus Rashford handed Barcelona transfer blow following Michael Carrick’s Man Utd offer
One of Barcelona’s presidential candidates has raised doubts over Marcus Rashford completing a permanent move from Manchester United this summer.
Xavier Vilajoana is one of four candidates vying for the role with the election at the Camp Nou to take place on 15 March.
He has already boldly vowed to go after England international Harry Kane, insisting he and his team have already made contact over an ambitious move to prise him away from Bayern Munich in the summer.
But Vilajoana has also suggested Rashford’s proposed switch will be reevaluated if he is voted into office to replace Joan Laporta.
Rashford left Old Trafford to complete a ‘dream’ loan move to the Camp Nou last summer and has rediscovered the form that deserted him in Manchester, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists this term.
Barcelona have the option to make Rashford’s stay a permanent one at the end of the season for €30million (£26m).
Michael Carrick, who played alongside Rashford for three seasons at United, is thought to be keen for the forward to return to United this summer should he be given the full-time job at Old Trafford.
Get your football fix
Don’t want to miss the week’s biggest football stories? Metro’s exclusive football newsletter, In The Mixer, is your essential guide.
From the latest transfer rumours and managerial moves to analysis of the biggest games and a lot more, our experts have you covered.
Sign up here, it’s an open goal.
But reports in Spain suggest Rashford is keen to make the loan arrangement permanent. Barcelona were thought to be eager to make the deal happen, prepared to pay the agreed fee.
But Vilajoana’s comments have raised fresh doubts. The presidential hopeful has instead suggested the club look ‘in-house’ to bolster their attacking options, naming the club’s former youth player Jan Virgili, now of Mallorca, as one alternative option.
‘I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I’ve always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have,” Vilajoana told ESPN of the possibility of paying Rashford’s clause.
‘For example, I want to give the example of Jan Virgili, who is currently playing for Mallorca. He’s a great winger.
More Trending
-
- Arsenal told they ‘should have signed’ £60m Chelsea star instead of Viktor Gyokeres
- Paul Merson urges Mikel Arteta to drop Arsenal star for Tottenham clash
- Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Tottenham vs Arsenal
‘I would maybe look at [exercising the clause to re-sign him] as an option, for example, rather than paying the Rashford clause.
‘That said, it’s not just the president who arrives and makes the decision. The president arrives, puts things on the table, alternatives are considered, it’s discussed and a decision is made.
‘What I am clear on is that if [signing Rashford] is considered to be the best decision from a sporting point of view, the money will be there to make it happen.’
Arrow
MORE: Manchester United urged to sign £37m Chelsea star after ‘disappointing transfer’
Arrow
MORE: Arsenal star told to ‘force a move away’ after Bukayo Saka decision
Arrow
MORE: Brother of Man Utd youngster charged with attempted murder
Football Newsletter – In The Mixer
Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro’s football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.
Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/02/20/marcus-rashford-handed-barcelona-transfer-blow-following-michael-carricks-man-utd-offer-27019725/