Barcelona are pleased with the progress of loanee Marcus Rashford but they remain unlikely to discuss a permanent move for the England international until next summer.
Despite still having three years left on his current deal with Manchester United, Rashford currently looks unlikely to have any future at Old Trafford and is focused on making the best impact he can at Barcelona – a club he has long dreamed of playing for.
Barca are delighted with the progress of Rashford and are said to be very enthusiastic about how he is settling into the club and the city. They are also pleased with how he has already endeared himself to the players, staff and fans at the Nou Camp, despite a reprimand for being two minutes late for a recent meeting by head coach Hansi Flick.
On the pitch, he is also delivering. The 27-year-old has two goals and two assists in his last three games.
It remains far too early for Barcelona to discuss the potential of signing him on a permanent basis – but there is no gap in valuation with Manchester United over what that would cost, contrary to reports earlier this week.
That is because the loan agreement contains an option to buy him for an agreed fee of £26.2m (€30m) and – with his further progress on and off the field and the club’s long-term financial parameters still to consider – triggering that option is not something Barcelona are expected to discuss until the end of the campaign.
Also to consider for Barcelona is the long-term future of striker Robert Lewandowski, who turned 37 last month and sees his current deal expire at the end of the season.
