Marcus Rahsford has not lost hope of signing for FC Barcelona this summer. The winger has the 'Ok' from the board and the coaching staff, but for the moment there is no formal 'Azulgrana' offer to Manchester United due to the demands of the English team and the contractual situation of the striker.
In this regard, Micah Richards explained the reasons why, beyond being a fixed discard for coach Rúben Amorim, the 27-year-old player has still not defined his future a month before the start of the 2025/26 season.
"Nobody wants him because Manchester United signed him to an astronomical contract and it seems that only in Saudi Arabia or Qatar could face his signing", Richards began by saying.
In that sense, he added: "It is going to be very difficult for someone to get close to paying what he has signed at United and he has many years ahead of him", added the former English player and commentator for 'CBS Sports'.
Rashford's contract and United's position, a problem for Barça
Marcus still has a contract until 2028 and his gross salary reaches 20 million euros per year. However, some sources say that the net of his emoluments may be around 19 'kilos' including bonuses.
In addition, the 'red devils' are asking for at least 40 million for his transfer. These two reasons slow down his arrival in Barcelona and keep his arrival at another big club in Europe in 25/26 in doubt. The 'Azulgrana' team, in fact, only sees a loan without an option to buy as feasible to sign him.
For this option to be viable, Rashford would have to renew again with United to lower his salary by 25-30%. For Barça, paying more than €4M in salary to a loaned footballer is impossible at a time when the club is still exceeded in its salary margin.
Not surprisingly, Barça still has to resolve the registration of Joan García and any other reinforcement in the summer market. The return to the 1:1 rule will be important to sign, but the club must still reduce the cost of its squad to make room for new additions.
Marcus Rashford will continue training on the sidelines while waiting for offers
Meanwhile, Rashford is still waiting for a 'Azulgrana' offer, outside the United squad. Rúben Amorim's team started their preseason in Carrington last week, without Marcus or the rest of the discards for the Portuguese coach.
Fabrizio Romano himself assures that the player is "crazy to play for Barça", but until the winger defines his contractual situation it will be very difficult for the 'Culés' to try to sign him. In addition to the 'Azulgrana' team, Aston Villa also wants the Manchester youth player.
In the second half of 24/25, the striker scored 4 goals and 6 assists in 17 games with those from Birmingham. In total, his season closed with 11 goals and 9 assists in 41 appearances, counting his performance with the 'red devils' in the first part of the course.