According to reports, Rashford came close to joining Barcelona during the winter transfer window, but the move fell through due to contract registration issues and Barcelona’s prioritization of internal contract renewals.

Afterward, the English star went on loan to Aston Villa, where he has performed brilliantly. However, he has no intention of staying at Villa Park and knows he must say goodbye to Manchester United for good. Sport claims his primary goal remains joining Barcelona. Rashford’s representatives have conveyed to the club that he is willing to take a significant pay cut to facilitate the transfer.

Under Unai Emery, Rashford has become a key player for Aston Villa. He has shone in the Premier League and Champions League, proving he can still change the course of a game. However, he seeks to join a title-contending team—and sees Barcelona as the ideal project.

The English newspaper Mirror reports that Rashford has made a definitive decision to leave Aston Villa. Due to his strained relationship with Rúben Amorim at Manchester United, he has no interest in returning to Old Trafford. Several English clubs are interested in signing him, but Rashford believes his time in English football is over and prefers to explore foreign offers. He has rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia, while representatives from Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Bayern Munich have also contacted his camp.

The biggest obstacle is Rashford’s hefty salary. Manchester United is prepared to sell him for a maximum of €35 million—a reasonable figure given the tense situation between the player and the club. His current contract runs until 2028, and United is eager to offload his financial burden.

However, the forward has made it clear to Barcelona that he is willing to lower his demands to facilitate the move, even considering a loan deal with a significant wage reduction. During January negotiations, he emphasized that he sees himself aligned with Barcelona’s sporting philosophy, but financial constraints prevented the transfer.

Sport claims Barcelona has not yet made a decision. Both Hansi Flick and the club’s sporting directors are aware of Rashford’s talent, physicality, and attacking versatility, but signing a new forward is not a priority. The current focus is on strengthening positions in greater need, all while maintaining strict financial prudence.

However, anything can happen if player sales shake up Barcelona’s summer market. Interestingly, internal club reports suggest many stars have recently expressed interest in joining Barcelona—a rare sight in recent years.

Flick’s ambitious sporting project has made Barcelona attractive to stars again, but the club’s primary goal is not just signing players but retaining the core squad to continue their progress next season.