16/12/2025
Barcelona in talks over swap deal involving Rashford and Alvarez Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford is enjoying life in Spain, having rediscovered his swagger at Barcelona.
Rashford, currently on a season-long loan at Barca, has been directly involved in 17 goals across all competitions. In comparison, Bruno Fernandes, who remains United’s most potent attacking threat, has contributed to 10 goals.
Barcelona have an option to buy the Englishman for around €30 million. However, the financial-stricken Catalan giants are yet to make a final decision on his future. Marcus Rashford has impressed with his versatility, featuring on both flanks as well as through the middle under Hansi Flick.
However, the Barcelona hierarchy are keen to sign a natural number nine to replace veteran Robert Lewandowski. Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez has emerged as the Blaugrana’s priority target.
According to a report in Spain, as relayed by Football365 , Barcelona plan to include Rashford in a swap deal with Atletico.
It is outlandishly claimed that the La Liga giants intend to trigger Rashford’s €30m clause, a relatively bargain figure, before offloading him in the same window.
The report adds that the “conditions are set” for this deal, with a €70m fee and Rashford said to be used to sign Alvarez.
It is stated: “Atlético Madrid haven’t ruled out signing the English striker if Julián Álvarez ultimately ends up at Barcelona. Diego Simeone greatly appreciates Rashford’s profile, particularly his speed and directness in exploiting space from any attacking area.”
Atletico allegedly value Rashford at around €50m and the ex-Manchester City forward at €120m.
Thus, an additional €70m from Barcelona would satisfy their demands, paving the way for Alvarez to move to Camp Nou.
As far as United are concerned, it is safe to assume they will not care where Rashford ends up next season, as long as they get their €30m. Ruben Amorim has no plans to reintegrate the academy product.
Marcus Rashford has now spent four months at Barcelona, and it is safe to say that he is loving life at the La Liga leaders. He started in very impressive fashion on the pitch, and although he has fallen out of the starting line-up in recent weeks, he remains upbeat about his situation in Catalonia.
As per MD, Rashford spoke about his time at Barcelona so far during a visit to Escola Vedruna Àngels and the Centre Comunitari Submarí on Thursday.
“All my teammates welcomed me well and I also felt very good in the city. It’s the first time I’ve lived away from Manchester, but I’m already starting to feel at home. I want to learn more Spanish and I’m trying.” Escola Vedruna Angels and the Centre Comunitari Submari are both institutions supported by the Barca Foundation, in their efforts to help vulnerable children. Rashford has experiencing of aiding in similar cases back in his homeland, which is why he was honoured to be at the event.
“Since I was young I have tried to help in these situations. I’m very happy to be here today, because I’m in a new country but it’s important for me to understand the people here. So I can start helping here. It’s a fantastic day and a fantastic opportunity for me and the boys. I hope it’s not the last time I can do something like this.”
Rashford has eyes on permanent Barcelona deal
It is clear to see that Rashford is enjoying himself in Catalonia, even if he is not playing too much in recent weeks. Understandably, he has no plans to return to Manchester United next summer, with his idea being for Barcelona to sign him on a permanent basis – which they are able to do, given they have an option to buy as part of the agreement in the summer.