Marcus Rashford has officially arrived in Barcelona to finalise a season-long loan switch from Manchester United to the reigning Spanish champions. The highly anticipated move comes after weeks of speculation linking the England international with a summer exit from Old Trafford.
According to a report by the BBC, Rashford touched down in Catalonia via private jet and is expected to complete the formalities of the deal within the next 24 hours. The loan agreement reportedly includes an option for Barcelona to make the transfer permanent at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Talks between Manchester United and Barcelona advanced swiftly over the past week, with the move receiving the full approval of new Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. Sources within the club suggest that Flick views Rashford as a key addition to the attacking lineup, particularly as the club seeks to strengthen its options on the left flank.
The La Liga giants are currently searching for a dynamic left winger to complement their existing frontline, and Rashford has emerged as an ideal candidate due to his pace, experience, and versatility.
This marks Rashford’s second loan spell within the past 12 months, having previously spent the second half of the 2024/25 season at Aston Villa. During his time at Villa Park, he showed glimpses of his former self but was unable to secure a long-term future at Manchester United.
The 26-year-old has struggled for consistent minutes at United under new head coach Ruben Amorim, who reportedly prefers other options in the forward line. Rashford’s reduced role prompted him to consider opportunities abroad, with Barcelona said to be his top choice.
Manager Hansi Flick is expected to utilise Rashford primarily on the left wing in his tactical setup, although the forward’s ability to operate centrally or even on the right adds depth to the squad. Rashford will provide crucial support in wide areas, especially with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres rotating in the centre-forward role.
There are also hints that Rashford could be handed one of Barcelona’s prestigious shirt numbers. Speculation points to a possible inheritance of an iconic number previously worn by legends such as Thierry Henry or rising stars like Lamine Yamal.
It is worth noting that Barcelona recently announced that Lamine Yamal will now wear the coveted No.10 shirt going forward, potentially freeing up other notable squad numbers for new arrivals like Rashford.