(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Tue 2 June 2026 7:30, UK

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Manchester United are finally open to the idea of agreeing a cut-price sale of Marcus Rashford to Barcelona this summer after making a U-turn, sources have told Football Insider.

The Spanish giants have desperately been trying to re-negotiate their £26million purchase option for the England international, and are still determined to sign him even after moving for Anthony Gordon.

The Red Devils are now happy to sell the 28-year-old for whatever fee they can, with sources indicating that his wages have automatically been hiked up after his parent club secured Champions League qualification.

United are keen to get the forward off their wage bill in any way possible, and Barcelona are open to the idea of both a permanent deal this summer or potentially another loan.

Michael Carrick under pressure after Champions League step

Carrick’s tenure in charge at Old Trafford has begun with a significantly positive step as he secured a return to the Champions League for next season.

However, that brings its own issues, and the club have now seen several members of the squad receive a boost to their pay packets, as a result of automatic clauses that had been inserted into some deals.

Mason Mount is one of those who has seen his deal boosted, and former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last week that Carrick will now be under pressure to get the best out of him.

The former Chelsea man is now understood to be earning a weekly wage of around £250,000 at Old Trafford, meaning that there will be bigger expectations of him than his disappointing campaign in 2025-26.

Rashford has faced a similar situation with his contract in recent weeks, and it has created a fresh sense of urgency for United to get him off their wage bill as quickly as possible.

Carrick and Co. have their eyes on plenty of new additions of their own this summer and will need all the availability they can get in their wage budget.

Could Marcus Rashford still make Premier League move?

Football Insider revealed back in April that a move to Newcastle is highly unlikely for Rashford, with his wages posing a major obstacle for the Magpies.

The Tynesiders have shown an interest in the wideman in recent months, along with Tottenham, but neither are expected to have the financial clout needed to actually land him this summer.

Barcelona remain the leading candidates to secure his services, while it is also clear that the player himself has been happy with his role in their colours this term.

With United now on board with the idea of a cheaper deal, all parties are seemingly ready for Rashford to move to Barcelona again.