Rashford transfer twist as Barcelona told NOT to sign Man Utd star permanently

Marcus Rashford has been in fine form since joining Barcelona on loan from Manchester United and the England forward has already made it clear that he wants to stay at the Nou Camp for many years

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has rubbished suggestions that £28million represents a steal for Barcelona to land Marcus Rashford permanently. The England forward was loaned out to the Catalan club for the season after Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim decided he wasn't part of his plans.

Barcelona have secured an option to make the switch permanent for £28m come 2026, with multiple reports in Spain claiming they're already plotting to secure an agreement with United. Rashford has been a revelation since arriving in Spain, bagging six goals and providing nine assists in all competitions whilst wearing the famous Blaugrana strip.

The 28-year-old currently leads the way for assists among players across Europe's elite divisions. However, Saha - who enjoyed a four-year stint at Old Trafford - isn't convinced that Barca's £28m buy-out clause represents outstanding value given Rashford's recent troubles at United.

"I think Marcus Rashford does provide a bit of worry," he said via OLBG. "You have to manage him. What happened to him at United?".

"I think something could happen again so I think that he has to have his own objective. I think he needs to come back to that level and maintain that to be in the World Cup and win it. That's what I hope for him.

"But yes, it's not a bargain because of what he went through in a really tough moment. He didn't play well for two years. He had a lot of issues.

"Now they are solved and it's not solved because of United, just because he is in a new environment. I think he managed to get back to the basics, which is good for him."

The United academy graduate has already made his stance on Barcelona clear - expressing a desire to stay at the club for many years. "I'm really enjoying my time in Spain; the weather is the best," he said.

"A very big change. I'm learning every day, I'm enjoying it a lot. I hope to be here for a long time.

"I get along very well with Roony [Bardghji], also Jules [Kounde] or Frenkie [de Jong]. It's a team in which we all mix. We are united. The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position.

"I'll keep trying to do this. We have to keep it up to be our best version. We have a lot more to do this season."