Barcelona's Marcus Rashford debate: Should they sign him for €30million?

AlavésAthletic ClubAtlético MadridBarcelonaCelta de VigoElcheEspanyolGetafeGironaLevanteMallorcaOsasunaRayo VallecanoReal BetisReal MadridReal OviedoReal SociedadSevillaValenciaVillarrealPodcastsCopa del ReyCommentaryBarcelona’s Marcus Rashford debate: Should they sign him for €30million?Barcelona could keep Rashford if they activate their buy option this summer Ion Alcoba Beitia via Getty Images Share articleBarcelona are ready to start making decisions in this summer transfer window — and Marcus Rashford’s future is one of the first items on the agenda. Barca could sign the Manchester United loanee permanently this summer by triggering a €30million ($35m; £26m) option in his deal. Senior figures at Barca, who were very pleased with Rashford’s output at the start of the season, recently told The Athletic their interest in signing the England international had cooled. Those close to the player maintain they have not been made aware of a final decision and say Rashford, 28, wants to stay at Barcelona next season. United are unwilling to reconsider the terms already agreed in the initial deal, while the figures involved in any deal have left Barca with major doubts. Club sources expect decisions about next season’s squad to be made as soon as the La Liga title is decided. If Barcelona avoid defeat against Real Madrid in Sunday’s Clasico at the Camp Nou, they will clinch the title (that would be the first time the Catalans have done that in a game against their fierce rivals). Here, The Athletic’s Barcelona correspondents Pol Ballus and Laia Cervello Herrero lay out the case for and against signing Rashford. The discussion reflects conversations with multiple club sources, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships. Rashford has played 46 matches with Barcelona and been involved in 27 goals (scoring 13 and assisting 14), all while being a backup player. He has played the 13th-most minutes of any player (2,378) and averages a goal involvement every 88 minutes — the best ratio among the team’s forwards. He has been key in unlocking some tough defences — such as in the last La Liga game against Osasuna, when he provided the assist for Robert Lewandowski’s opener, or his double in the Champions League league phase win against Newcastle United. Only Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez (both six) have scored more than his five goals in European competitions for Barca. It is fair to wonder how much a player with those kinds of stats would cost in the summer — probably more than the €30m option. Another argument in his favour is how well Rashford has fitted into the dressing room. Head coach Hansi Flick has been impressed with his attitude around the training centre, while multiple team-mates describe him as a shy guy who always has a smile on his face and is a positive presence. Rashford has understood his secondary role and never complained, despite being below Raphinha and Yamal in the pecking order. That is not something easy to find in the market, and is a key consideration for sporting director Deco and Flick when assessing new signings. The team also needs a high-end option to be a fourth-choice striker. Last season, Barca felt they did not have enough firepower from the bench with backup forwards such as Ansu Fati and Pau Victor. If they don’t sign Rashford, they will need to find a replacement. His skill set and quality are not in question. His pace, powerful strike, physical presence and ability to generate opportunities have been highlighted by dressing-room sources. Earlier this season, Flick said he had been a “big fan of Rashford throughout his career”. Rashford joined Barca with a point to prove, and he has shown he can be useful for a top club. He is expected to be in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup in North America. Those close to the player’s camp say Rashford’s priority is to stay at Barcelona beyond the summer and that they will do their best to make sure there is an agreement on personal terms with the club. “It would not be a problem,” one source close to the player said. The buy option might be a double-edged sword. All signings that Barcelona are considering for next season will be assessed through the lens of their impact on the club’s La Liga-imposed salary limit. Barca are still operating above this limit, meaning they cannot spend a euro in the transfer market for every euro they bring in with player sales (known as the ‘1:1 rule’ in Spain because of the ratio). Beyond triggering the option, buying Rashford would mean continuing to pay a significant salary to the Englishman, while they would be unlikely to want to give him a contract longer than three years, given he turns 29 in October. That would make the amortisation of the €30m fee plus his salary more difficult — this element is taken into account in La Liga’s salary limit calculations, which impact whether clubs can register new players. Club sources say that signing a younger player, even someone worth double Rashford’s €30m, could have the same financial impact as making the United player’s loan permanent. Rashford would also have a low future sale value, which a younger player could provide. Taking all that into consideration, some sources close to the first team at Barca believe Rashford could be considered slightly too expensive for a fourth attacking option. The stats are promising, but senior club sources highlight that Rashford has sometimes been inconsistent and that he has not necessarily improved the team as a whole. At times, he has looked out of sync with Barca’s collective approach, which is perhaps to be expected given that this is his first season at the club. Rashford’s lack of off-the-ball pressing has also been mentioned as an issue by dressing-room sources. Relentless counter-pressing is a requirement in Flick’s Barca. Nobody is expecting him to defend from the front like Raphinha, but Rashford’s work out of possession has sometimes been identified as a weakness. If Baca are to sign someone permanently, it’s probably best they have the criteria and skill set to shine under Flick. His performance in key matches can’t be overlooked either. Rashford had a golden chance to stake his claim for a regular spot in March, when Raphinha picked up a hamstring injury playing for Brazil. Rashford was seen as his natural replacement but failed to deliver, especially in the Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid — when he started the first leg and came off the bench in the second, failing to contribute in either. A club’s overall judgement should go beyond one or two games, but the big occasions matter too, and Rashford was not at his best when he needed to step up. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms