Marcus Rashford remains in Barcelona frame after Manchester United return

Barcelona are considering a fresh move for Marcus Rashford, despite appearing to have decided against making his loan spell permanent, with the England forward’s future now back under review.

Rashford spent the 2025-26 season at Barcelona on loan from Manchester United and enjoyed a productive period in Spain, contributing to 28 goals during the campaign.

Barcelona had the option to sign him permanently as part of the loan agreement but chose not to activate it. Instead, the club moved towards deals for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, suggesting Rashford’s time at Camp Nou had come to an end.

However, that position could change in the coming weeks.

According to a report by English website TeamTalk, Barcelona remain in contact with Rashford’s representatives while assessing their attacking options. The club are understood to be exploring whether bringing the forward back could still be a possibility before the transfer window closes.

The situation is linked to Barcelona’s ongoing difficulty in trying to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. If those efforts continue to stall, the Spanish club may reconsider Rashford as an alternative solution.

Barcelona continue to value the 28-year-old’s ability to operate in several positions across the attacking third. That versatility could become particularly important following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, the same report said.

Rashford’s return at Manchester United has created a separate dilemma for the Premier League club. He is back with the squad, and United are currently prepared to carry one of the biggest wage commitments in the English top flight.

Even so, there remains internal debate over whether keeping the forward is the best long-term option. That uncertainty could grow if Barcelona, or another club, eventually puts forward a financially attractive proposal.

The England international’s immediate future therefore depends on several factors: Barcelona’s pursuit of Alvarez, the club’s assessment of its attacking requirements and whether a suitable offer emerges for Manchester United.

For now, Rashford is back at Old Trafford after his season in Spain, but Barcelona have not completely closed the possibility of a return to Camp Nou.