By Martin Graham
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has successfully completed his medical at Barcelona ahead of his anticipated loan move to the Catalan club. The 27-year-old arrived in Catalonia on Sunday night, obtaining permission from United to finalize the transfer details. Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, and sporting director, Deco, greeted Rashford at the training ground on Monday morning, marking the official start of his Barcelona journey.
Swift negotiations and financial terms
Negotiations between Barcelona and United progressed swiftly over the past week, culminating in a deal agreed in principle over the weekend. As part of the agreement, Barcelona will cover Rashford’s wages for the duration of his season-long loan. Rashford, in turn, agreed to a 25% pay cut, resulting in significant savings for United estimated at £14 million. The loan deal, initially set for 12 months, also includes an option for Barcelona to purchase Rashford permanently for £30.3 million (35 million euros).
Media presentation and pre-season prospects
Rashford is scheduled to be formally presented to the media on Wednesday, highlighting his transition to Spanish football. Joining Barcelona represents Rashford’s preferred choice after expressing readiness for a new challenge following his recent spell with United. This move follows his six-month loan stint with Aston Villa during the previous season, indicating Rashford’s adaptability to different football environments.
Barcelona aims to complete Rashford’s registration in time for him to join their preseason tour of Japan and South Korea starting Thursday. Although there are procedural steps required for La Liga registration, unregistered players can still train with the team and participate in non-competitive matches. Should Rashford join the tour, he could face former United teammate Jesse Lingard, now with K League side FC Seoul, in a scheduled match on July 31.
Reaction from former teammates
Former Manchester United colleague Paul Pogba, currently with Monaco, expressed his support for Rashford’s move to Barcelona during an interview. Pogba highlighted Rashford’s quality as a player and acknowledged the impact of his departure on United’s squad dynamics under coach Ruben Amorim. Pogba emphasized the competitive nature of football management, suggesting that decisions are often influenced by the need for immediate success.
