Marcus Rashford says he wants to make his stay at Barcelona permanent after rediscovering his form in Spain.
The England forward, 27, joined the Catalan club on loan from Manchester United last summer and has quickly found his rhythm, scoring five goals in 12 appearances including a Champions League brace against Olympiakos this week.
Barcelona hold an option to buy Rashford for £28 million at the end of the season which is a cut-price deal compared with the £40 million United would reportedly demand from other clubs.
Speaking to ESPN, Rashford was clear about his hopes for the future. “For sure,” he said when asked if he wanted to remain in Spain. “I’m enjoying this football club, and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player, it is an honour.”
Rashford’s Man United contract runs until 2028, but his time at Old Trafford appears to be over while Ruben Amorim remains in charge. The Portuguese coach is said to be reshaping the squad, favouring younger players and a new tactical approach.
For Rashford, the switch to La Liga has offered the reset he needed. “People forget this, but 23 years of my life was with Manchester United,” he reflected. “So sometimes you just need a change. I think maybe this is the case with me, and I’m enjoying everything.”
The move follows a short but successful spell at Aston Villa last season, where Unai Emery helped revive the forward’s confidence and form. Now, as he prepares for his first El Clásico against Real Madrid this weekend, Rashford looks sharper with more freedom and visibly at ease in Barcelona’s system.
If his strong performances continue, only a few at the Camp Nou will argue against making his stay a long-term one.
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