Barcelona and Manchester United begin talks over forward

Transfer conversations between Barcelona and Manchester United rarely stay quiet for long, and this one is already gathering momentum.

Both clubs are entering a decisive phase of planning.

What started as a temporary solution has quickly evolved into a discussion about long-term futures.

At the centre of it all is a forward whose next decision could define the direction of two major clubs.

Barcelona and Manchester United have opened talks over the future of Marcus Rashford, with the Catalan side keen to renegotiate the financial terms of the deal, as reported by Matteo Moretto and relayed by Reshad Rahman via X.

The current buy-option, understood to be set at around £30 million, has become a key sticking point, with Barcelona pushing to lower the fee to a figure closer to £25.5 million in order to make the move viable within their budget structure.

Rashford’s situation has taken on added significance after a mixed spell at Old Trafford, where expectations have often outweighed consistency.

A move away has offered him a chance to reset, and those close to the player believe the environment in Spain has helped him rediscover confidence and freedom in his game.

Barcelona, for their part, view him as a profile that brings pace, directness and experience at the top level, qualities they feel are still missing in key attacking moments.

While United remain open to a permanent exit, they are not prepared to sanction a cut-price deal without clear value being secured.

The club sees Marcus Rashford as an asset whose market standing remains strong, particularly given his experience in European competition and at international level.

Any agreement will likely hinge on structure, add-ons and payment flexibility rather than a straight reduction in valuation.

An interesting subplot has emerged from the United side, with Michael Carrick understood to be supportive of bringing Rashford back into the fold if negotiations stall.

There is still belief within parts of the club that, under the right conditions, the forward can play a significant role moving forward.

Rashford’s preference is clear, with sources indicating he would like to remain at Barcelona if a deal can be agreed.

For Barcelona, securing his signature permanently would represent both a statement move and a calculated risk.

As talks continue, the next few weeks could prove decisive.