Marcus Rashford don score wonderful free-kick wey remind pesin of David Beckham for El Clasico, wey help Barcelona win La Liga title against Real Madrid. But when dem ask am about im future for Barcelona, im talk say: ‘I no know, I no be magician. If I be magician, I for stay. We go see.’
Rashford dey on loan from Manchester United, and im want to stay for Barcelona. But e no be easy. One source say: ‘E go involve plenty hard negotiating.’ Why? Because Rashford still get contract with Man United until 30 June 2028. When Casemiro contract finish for June, Rashford go become club highest earner, with im salary restored to full after dem cut am 25% because United no qualify for Champions League.
On paper, making the deal permanent fit work for everybody. Rashford don do well: 14 goals and 14 assists for 47 appearances. E don earn England recall from Thomas Tuchel and likely go make World Cup squad. Im enjoy play for Barcelona and want stay. Barcelona get other targets but dem go sign am for well under market value. Man United go happy to offload am, since Ruben Amorim bin put am for ‘bomb squad’ last summer.
But Barcelona no dey ready to trigger the transfer option. Dem dey try to renegotiate, maybe for another loan next season. United don talk say dem no go accept that. United know dem fit get more money for Rashford from other clubs. But United position get risk. Last month, head coach Michael Carrick say ‘nothing don decide’ on Rashford and im go willing to work with am if im return to Old Trafford.
United dey determined to cut wage costs. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe don talk say dem want make highest earners ‘dey on the pitch’. For summer, United go try sign at least two central midfielders and two more players for other areas, plus dem need talk to skipper Bruno Fernandes about im contract. If Rashford still dey club, e no go help dem negotiate terms for other players.
Rashford don speak to Barcelona media rare. After winning first league title, im look relaxed and happy. Im say: ‘I dey try enjoy the moment.’ Im describe Barcelona as ‘special’ and say dem go ‘win so much for the future’. Im add say im go love to be part of that.
Some Barcelona fans want Rashford to stay. Others no see enough consistency. With Raphinha injured, Rashford step up as starter. But now Raphinha fit again, question be whether Barcelona value Rashford impact off bench enough to make loan permanent. The 15 June deadline fit bring answer, but e fit not. If Rashford go World Cup and England drop for quarter-finals, im last game go be between 9-12 July. After three-week break, im return for pre-season about 3 August. If Barcelona no trigger option by deadline, dem fit still offer same sum later.
The negotiation point key. Rashford get contract. United no fit just accept offer from another club and send am. If options no suit, im go remain their player and return for pre-season. Against Real Madrid for Nou Camp, Rashford show again say im talented. E fit take time before we know where im go play next season.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
