Marcus Rashford's future at Barcelona has become a club-level decision, not a simple buyout story. Anthony Gordon's expected move to the Spanish club has pushed Rashford further into the middle of a broader summer squeeze, with Barcelona still weighing a £26m option and Manchester United refusing to soften their stance.

The reporting around Gordon is clear enough on the main numbers. He is expected to join Barcelona in a £69.3 million plus add-ons deal, with the initial fee spread over the next five years. Everton are due 15% from the move because of the sell-on clause inserted in the £45 million sale to Newcastle in 2023. Joan Laporta said, "The Gordon deal is being finalised, but it's not done yet. I've been informed of everything."

Why Gordon changes the Rashford equation

That fee structure matters because Barcelona are not dealing with one transfer in isolation. A club committing to £69.3 million plus add-ons, even in instalments, has less room to treat Rashford as a clean, separate decision. The deal for Gordon is not finished, but the scale of it explains why the Rashford question is still open.

Rashford's loan numbers are good enough to keep the conversation alive. He made 32 La Liga appearances and produced 15 goals and assists combined in the league. The source reporting also says he finished with 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions, which is a decent return, not a slam-dunk case for a permanent purchase. That is why Barcelona are still hesitating over the £26m option.

Why Barcelona are still holding back

The football case for keeping Rashford is there. The financial case is less tidy. Barcelona have until June 15 to activate the purchase option agreed last summer, but the reporting says talks about his future are expected this week rather than settled. That lines up with the broader picture: Barcelona want to keep their options open, and United are not helping them by making the move cheaper or easier.

Gordon's numbers also tell you why Barcelona are willing to stretch. He has a 7.08 Premier League rating, a 7.53 Champions League rating and 10 Champions League goals, which suggests a player they see as a major addition rather than a squad filler. If Barcelona are paying that kind of money, another big commitment becomes harder to justify unless they are fully convinced Rashford is the right long-term fit.

For now, that leaves Rashford in limbo. Barcelona like what he has done, but they have not crossed the line into a permanent commitment. The next update is expected this week, and the club still have to decide whether the £26m option is worth taking after moving for Gordon.

FAQ

Will Barcelona still sign Marcus Rashford permanently after the Anthony Gordon deal?

Not necessarily. The reporting says Barcelona are still weighing a £26m option on Marcus Rashford and have not made a final decision. Anthony Gordon’s expected move to Barcelona has made that decision harder, not easier, and Manchester United are not softening their stance.

Why has Anthony Gordon’s move affected Marcus Rashford’s future at Barcelona?

Because Barcelona are expected to spend £69.3 million plus add-ons on Gordon, paid in instalments over five years, with Everton due 15% from the sale. That extra major outlay makes the club’s separate decision on Rashford, including a £26m option, more complicated.

Are Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona loan numbers good enough for a permanent deal?

They are decent, but not decisive. Rashford has 32 La Liga appearances and 15 league goals and assists combined, while the source reporting also says he finished with 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. Barcelona still have not committed to turning the loan into a permanent move.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →