Barcelona push for second Rashford loan amid Chelsea interest
Barcelona have started talks with Manchester United to keep Marcus Rashford for another season, while Chelsea are keeping a close watch as the forward’s future is still up in the air. Hansi Flick has approved the Englishman’s stay at the club, despite some initial uncertainty about where he fits in. Barca are pushing for another loan because their tight budget makes it hard to trigger that €30 million buy option right now. They would rather negotiate fresh terms than commit to a permanent transfer at that price, though they clearly value the depth Rashford adds to the front line.
Transfer insider Florian Plettenburg shared the update on X, confirming that while Barcelona want a second loan, Manchester United are holding firm on their demands. Rashford played his part in Barcelona’s strong LaLiga run this 2025/26 season, recently netting his 13th goal in a 2-0 win over Getafe.
He has racked up seven goals and six assists in league play over 1,489 minutes, maintaining a solid 7.23 average FotMob rating. The player has also made it clear he wants to stay in Catalonia instead of heading straight back to the Premier League. Flick still believes the winger fits his tactics, even if his starts have been a bit hit-or-miss lately. Reports from GOAL and Sky Sports support this shift in stance after weeks of rumours suggesting he’d be heading back to Old Trafford early.
Rashford offers the kind of pace and directness that keeps defenders on their toes, though critics often point to his habit of wasting chances and losing focus under pressure. His time at Manchester United proved he can produce moments of real quality when he’s confident. Barcelona are hoping a second loan helps them balance the books and the squad while they chase trophies.
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What’s next at Old Trafford?
United already brought in players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last summer, which shows they have likely moved on from Rashford’s high wages. If Barcelona walk away, the club have to decide whether to give him another chance under Michael Carrick or just sell him for a lower fee.
A return might block new signings and crowd the attack. Manchester United get some breathing room if another loan happens, but they might lose momentum in their rebuild if they can’t get a clean break from the player. Meanwhile, Chelsea are keeping an eye on the situation to see if any late opportunities pop up.
