Barcelona's Marcus Rashford wage contribution revealed as Man Utd star nears transfer

Marcus Rashford is heading to Barcelona on a season-long loan with the option to buy and, while Manchester United were seeking a straight transfer, the wage contribution is key to the deal

Marcus Rashford's patience has paid off and he will be leaving Manchester United for Barcelona, with a loan deal close to being agreed between the two clubs. Rashford has only had eyes for Barca since his loan spell at Aston Villa concluded early due to injury and, barring any hiccups, he will get his way.

The 27-year-old rejected a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia and has been waiting for Barca and United to come to terms over a move. Barcelona were initially slightly reluctant, as they first chased Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, and then flirted with Liverpool winger Luis Diaz.

But Hansi Flick's side are now keen to sign the United forward, viewing him as an option on the left of their 4-3-3 formation and as a back-up to veteran centre-forward Robert Lewandowski.

Barca's financial struggles in recent years have been well documented and the Catalan giants have been unwilling to sign Rashford permanently straight away. United put a price tag of £40million on Rashford, before placing him Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' alongside Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Alejandro Garnacho.

United want to sell their unwanted players as quickly as possible in order to help fund a major squad overhaul, which has already seen Matheus Cunha arrive for £62.5m, with Bryan Mbeumo set to follow for £70m.

However, they have agreed to loan Rashford out again on the proviso that Barca pay the entirety of Rashford's wages and they retain an option to buy. That is a significant financial commitment he is paid £325,000-a-week on a contract until June 2028.

Getting that off their wage bill will come as a relief for United, who are also close to agreeing Sancho's move to Juventus in the coming days. United are about to head off on their pre-season tour of the United States and the click is ticking down towards the start of the 2025/26 season.

While Rashford's departure has been in the pipeline for some time, with the striker having fallen out with Amorim over the winter before being loaned to Villa in January, it is still a major deal for both parties.

Rashford came through the United academy and has 138 goals and 77 assists in 426 appearances for his home-town club. He has helped them win the FA Cup and the EFL Cup twice and the Europa League and his exit will mark a significant moment.

Speaking back in December, he said: "If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person.

"When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me. When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person. For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps."