'This is what Marcus Rashford has told Barcelona about summer move from Manchester United' - expert
Manchester United fans could still see Marcus Rashford join Barcelona despite the £30million buy-option in his loan deal not being triggered.
That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the Spanish giants could be looking to drive the price down before striking an agreement.
Since leaving Old Trafford for the Nou Camp, the England international has rediscovered his form, notching 14 goals and 11 assists in 49 games, and has fallen in love with the club.
It is understood that Rashford would ideally like to stay at Barcelona, but at the moment, he appears to be falling back down to earth with a return to Man United this summer.
The La Liga champions have already decided not to trigger the £30m buy-clause in his loan contract, but that hasn't completely ruled out a move for the winger.
Multiple Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Aston Villa, have eyes on the situation. Yet, Borson still believes that Spain is Rashford's likeliest destination.
Marcus Rashford to Barcelona not dead in the water yet
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said that Barca are running the risk of losing out on the player altogether by playing hardball over a potential deal this summer.
"I'm pretty sure the player wants to stay at Barcelona. He's probably told them that he doesn't want to move anywhere else," he said.
"They're just playing a game of poker with United and saying, 'We're not moving. We'll give you £20m, and we'll use the rest to pay some of his wages,' and call United's bluff, which is what they've done.
"It's not very much money. I'm not completely sure why they're bothering with that manoeuvre, and certainly risk losing the player if United on their side play hardball.
"There's then the question of, is there anybody in the Premier League that would pay the money? I suspect the answer to that question is yes, even with his wages.
"But the more complicated issue is that he probably doesn't want to go there. You get the impression that Rashford doesn't want to go to Newcastle or Villa."
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Barcelona, understandably after his 2025-26 campaign, are not the only big-name club linked with the attacker, and United will be pleased.
It doesn't appear like Rashford has any future at Old Trafford, and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are the latest to consider a move for the 28-year-old [Manchester Evening News].
Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen on the winger as well, but all reports suggest that Rashford has hit heart on staying at the Nou Camp.
It is becoming increasingly unlikely that the La Liga champions strike a deal, at least according to rumours, but Borson truly believes that a permanent move remains on the cards.