Barcelona are facing a big Marcus Rashford transfer decision with Manchester United sent a brutal verdict by a legend of the Spanish club
13:24, 12 May 2026Updated 13:25, 12 May 2026
Barcelona have been sent a clear Marcus Rashford Manchester United transfer verdict(Image: (Photo by GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images))
Ronald Koeman has called on Barcelona to activate the £26million buy option in Marcus Rashford’s loan deal, insisting Manchester United have underpriced the forward.
Rashford, 28, moved to Barca on loan from United last summer and has shone since arriving in Spain, netting 14 goals and contributing as many assists in 47 appearances across all competitions this season. On Sunday, the England international struck a magnificent free-kick to help Barca defeat Real Madrid 2-0 and clinch the La Liga title in the process. Rashford featured for 64 minutes before being substituted for Raphinha.
After the match, Rashford admitted he would be interested in prolonging his stay at the Spotify Camp Nou. And while Barcelona are eager to retain the Wythenshawe-born star for at least another campaign, they are hesitating over triggering the permanent clause in his deal due to the stringent financial constraints imposed upon them.
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Nevertheless, former Barca boss Koeman believes his old club must act decisively and secure Rashford on a permanent basis.
He argued that £26m represents exceptional value for a player who has delivered such returns, and cannot fathom why Barca haven’t committed him to a long-term deal yet.
Koeman said on Rashford, as quoted in Spanish media outlet AS: “If Barcelona let him return to Manchester United after this loan, I think they will regret it immensely. Because €30m (£26m) in the current market for a player with these characteristics, these numbers, this experience… that’s a rip-off.
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“Rashford hurts teams. Madrid looked terrified every time he turned and ran. Against Real Madrid, he completely destroyed them on the counter-attack.
“The speed, the aggression, the directness, the confidence – Madrid couldn’t handle him. Every time Barcelona advanced, he was the danger.
“He scores a free kick in El Clasico, stretches the entire defensive line, creates numerical advantages, presses, gets in behind the defence, and yet there are people within the club who hesitate to pay €30m? That seems insane to me.”
Koeman’s remarks follow those of former United striker and La Liga pundit Terry Gibson, who has claimed Barcelona would “love” to retain Rashford’s services should they be able to structure a deal within their financial constraints.
Barcelona star Marcus Rashford scored his eighth La Liga goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Real Madrid
Rashford has been in scintillating form for Barca in recent weeks, netting four goals and contributing one assist across their last six La Liga outings. He has played a pivotal role in Hansi Flick’s side clinching the Spanish top-flight title for a second consecutive season, and suggested he would remain at Camp Nou if he were a “magician”.
He has stressed that joining Barca was his dream move and he would stay at the club if the decision were his. “I don’t know. I am not a magician, but if I was, I would stay. So we will see,” Rashford said in the mixed zone following Barca’s El Clasico win against Real on Sunday.
Rashford and Barcelona return to action when they take on Alaves on Wednesday. The Catalan club then welcome Real Betis before rounding off their season with an away fixture at Valencia.