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Marcus Rashford: Barcelona chief unveils plan for Man United star Joan Laporta has claimed that Barcelona “will try” to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United this summer after winning re-election as president, though doubts over a deal continue to swirl in the background. A Major Hurdle Cleared Rashford , 28, is currently on a season-long loan at Camp Nou after the Spanish giants struck a deal with United last summer for the out-of-favour forward. It has proven to be a masterstroke for both parties, however, with the England international returning 10 goals and 13 assists for the Blaugrana, while reclaiming his place in the Three Lions squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
A £26 million buy option was included in the deal, though Barcelona are understood to be exploring whether this price can be driven even further down, or even if a second loan could be sanctioned. As a result, INEOS are believed to be “ruing this arrangement” as Rashford’s resurgence means his market valuation has far surpassed this figure. Multiple clubs have expressed interest in signing the Carrington graduate should Barcelona choose not to activate the clause.
However, there was another twist in the tale in Catalonia which could have seen Rashford return to Old Trafford: the Barcelona presidential elections. Laporta was facing competition from Xavier Vilajoana, who was previously head of La Masia. The 53-year-old executive’s platform revolved heavily around the club’s famous academy, publicly declaring his preference to re-sign academy star Jan Virgili over a deal for Rashford.
Had Vilajoana emerged victorious, the chances of the United loanee’s stay in Spain becoming permanent would have been drastically slashed. However, Laporta was confirmed as victor yesterday with 68% of the vote, marking his fourth term as president and confirming another five years at the helm of Camp Nou. Barcelona “will try” to keep Rashford Speaking after the election win, Laporta confirmed the Blaugrana “will try” to sign Rashford – a choice of words that is simultaneously positive and negative from a United perspective.
“Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals, and Cancelo, on the other hand, is doing very well,” Laporta told RAC1 (as relayed by Manchester World ). “He has become a key player due to the injuries of both full-backs. We will try, in Barça’s interest, to ensure that Marcus can continue.
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