Marcus Rashford’s future with Manchester United has been cast into speculation considering Barcelona hold an option to secure his services permanently at the end of the season
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
15:48, 19 Feb 2026
Marcus Rashford is enjoying a fruitful loan spell with Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford could face further competition for minutes next season if Barcelona make his loan move permanent, as they look for a ‘mobile striker’ in the event of Robert Lewandowski’s exit. The Manchester United talent is currently enjoying a year-long spell with the Catalan powerhouses under Hansi Flick.
Despite Lewandoski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha all being permanent fixtures at the Camp Nou and seeing priority over Rashford, the 28-year-old has still managed 10 goals and 13 assists from 34 appearances across all competitions.
The club also holds an option to take on Rashford full-time come the end of 2025/26 for around £26million – a clause they look more and more likely to exercise considering his consistent performances.
However, the versatile forward could also face further competition for minutes with the La Liga titans next season should he seal a transfer. At 37 and with his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, Lewandowski’s future with Barcelona has been cast into speculation.
That’s despite the Polish marksman proving he still has a shift in his locker with 10 La Liga goals to show for his efforts this time out. As a result, it is reported by Sport that the club are set to scour the market this summer for a mobile striker who has the ability to link up with team-mates on the offence and press when Barca don’t have the ball.
Dusan Vlahovic has emerged as a potential candidate for the role, considering he fits the bill perfectly and is out of contract with Juventus at the end of the Serie A season, meaning a cash-wary Barcelona wouldn’t have to worry about splashing a significant sum on him.
Tuttosport also claim that Vlahovic has made it clear to his agent that his priority is to play for Barcelona, but is waiting for the club to make an official move for him.
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In the event of no offer coming to fruition, the 26-year-old has also reportedly said to be open to brokering a new deal with the Old Lady.
It could ultimately prove problematic for Rashford, however, given the forward has shown versatility by playing as a centre forward outside of his favoured left flank. With two-and-a-half years left on his current contract with Manchester United, his future with the club remains up in the air.
The England international fell out of favour with Ruben Amorim shortly after his appointment in November 2024, spending the latter stages of last season on loan with Aston Villa. Still deemed surplus to requirements by the Portuguese tactician upon his return, Rashford then joined Barcelona on a temporary deal in the summer.
Dusan Vlahovic has been linked with Barcelona(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
However, with Amorim since being given the boot from Old Trafford, and Michael Carrick at the helm until season’s end, there could be a possibility for Rashford to return to the club he has dedicated the entirety of his career to.
That could all depend on whether Barcelona make his current loan spell permanent, what Carrick’s opinion of the star is given he is handed a full-time tenure himself, or whether a new head coach arrives who could fit Rashford into his plans.
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