
Why Marcus Rashford’s Move To Barcelona Is A Win-Win For All Involved
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Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona falls into that all too rare category of football transfers as it represents a win-win scenario for all parties involved.
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8 min read
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investment
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July 28, 2025
04:24 AM
Forbes
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The re indicates that Interestingly, SportsMoneyWhy Marcus Rashford’s Move To Barcelona Is A Win-Win For All InvolvedByDan Cancian, Contributor
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Dan is a London-based sports journalist who covers European football
AuthorJul 28, 2025, 04:24am EDTBARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 23: English forward Marcus Rashford who joined Barcelona on loan from
More Manchester United holds up his new jersey during his official presentation at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain on July 23, 2025, given current economic conditions. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty Images Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona falls into that all too rare category of football transfers as it represents a win-win scenario for all parties involved
Moreover, The LaLiga giants the signing of the England international on loan last week, in a deal that includes an option to buy for £26m ($35m)
Barcelona had been looking to add an experienced player to their squad as cover for both the left wing and centre-forward position and Rashford, who made his debut on Sunday in a friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe, fits the file
Moreover, The Catalans had made Athletic winger Inaki Williams their main target and were ready to trigger his £50. 9m) release clause (which is quite significant)
Furthermore, Despite agreeing personal terms with the and the player, Barcelona pulled out of the deal after Williams demanded an exit clause to be included in the contract, should the Catalans fail to register him with LaLiga
With rpool’s £87m ($117m) valuation of Luis Diaz considered too steep, Barcelona diverted their attention to Rashford
Significantly cheaper than Williams and Diaz, the 27-year-old is a calculated gamble for the Catalans
On the other hand, Should Rashford rediscover the form that had made him one of the most in-demand forwards in European football five years ago, Barcelona will have a real asset on their hands (something worth watching)
MORE FOR YOU Conversely, should he continue to struggle as he did at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, Barcelona can ship him back to Old Trafford at the end of the season
The deal is also major success for Rashford and United
However, Additionally, The former had wanted to leave his boyhood after falling out with Amorim, while United were eager to get his £325,000-a-week ($438,000) salary off the books (noteworthy indeed). “I want to win the biggest trophies and feel Barcelona is a huge in the football world so it is the perfect place,” Rashford said at his unveiling by the Spanish
Moreover, “You see with the team last season, they have a young ambitious team and I want to add my qualities, my personality, imve the team and help them win. “It’s a where people’s dreams come true and they win big prizes
And what the stands for really means a lot to me as well
On the other hand, It feels and this is a big factor in my choice to come here (which is quite significant). ” Can Marcus Rashford rediscover his form, amid market uncertainty
Conversely, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks dejected after the
More Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England
Moreover, (Photo by Alex sey - Danehouse/Getty Images)Getty Images Rashford moved to Aston Villa on loan in January, scoring four goals and viding six assists in 17 appearances in all competitions and returning to the England squad in March (an important development), considering recent developments
He started each of the four Champions League fixtures he played at Villa, but was in the starting XI in only four of his 10 appearances in the Premier League before a hamstring injury brought his season to a premature end in May
Villa had an option to buy Rashford for £40m ($50
However, 3m), but failure to qualify for the Champions League and their precarious financial position in terms of the Premier League’s fity and Sustainability Rules (PSR) meant they decided against it, in today's market environment
Furthermore, For his part, Rashford had long indicated Barcelona was his dream move and he becomes the first British player to join the Blaugrana since Mark Hughes and Gary Lineker signed from United and Everton respectively in 1986, He was linked with a move to the Camp Nou back in 2019 and again in 2022, when his stock was far higher than it is now, given the current landscape
A loan move to Catalonia was mooted in January, but never materialized (noteworthy indeed). “I was on my preference from the beginning
This analysis suggests that didn’t work out in January so I went to Aston Villa and enjoyed a good period there," he said. "I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play there
This analysis suggests that summer came around very quickly, it was time to make another decision. "My choice was easy
Conversely, It’s a family, something I’m used to from my past, in today's market environment. ” Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions in the 2022-23 season, but hasn’t hit the double-digit mark in terms of Premier League goals in the past two campaigns, considering recent developments
He scored seven goals in all competitions for United last term, but last in the Europa League against Viktoria Plzen on December 12
Amorim subsequently criticized his perceived lack of effort and once Rashford returned to Manchester earlier this summer, he was one five players along with Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia told to train away from the first squad
United, meanwhile, took the No10 jersey off Rashford and handed it to new signing Matheus Cunha, who arrived from Wolverhampton in June after they triggered his £62. 7m) release clause, given current economic conditions
However, It's a dramatic fall from grace for the 27-year-old, who signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford in 2023 after hitting a career-best 30 goals in all competitions only two years ago. “The situation with United is, the is in a period of change and they have been for a while,” Rashford said of United during his presentation in Barcelona. “I don’t have anything bad to say Manchester United, it’s been an important part of not only my career but my life
On the other hand, "I am grateful for the opportunity to play for them but football is the same as life and not everything goes as simply as you may have thought. “I just wish them all the best, considering recent developments
Additionally, I hope they are successful in the future. ” Will Barcelona be able to register Marcus Rashford
Additionally, On the other hand, KOBE, JAPAN - JULY 27: Marcus Rashford #14 of Barcelona looks on during the preseason friendly
More between Vissel Kobe and FC Barcelona at Noevir Stadium Kobe on July 27, 2025 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
Conversely, (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)Getty Images While Rashford’s move to Catalonia suits all parties, Barcelona face a more immediate blem in the shape of being able to register him, given the current landscape
The Spanish giants have had longstanding issues registering players due to LaLiga’s strict financial regulations, in today's market environment
Last year, the Spanish government had to intervene to allow Barcelona to complete the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, in light of current trends
Nevertheless, LaLiga maintains that Barcelona are over their salary limit, as they have spent more on transfer and wages last season than they made in revenue
In theory at least, that means Rashford cannot be registered to play this season and neither can fellow new signings Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny and Roony Bardghji (which is quite significant)
It's why Williams wanted an exit clause included in his deal, which Barcelona sporting director Deco refused
Barcelona can now either move some of their high earners off the books or find some new revenue s to allow them to register their new signings
Players who are not registered with LaLiga cannot play in any domestic competition in Spain, nor in the Champions League, given the current landscape
Over the years, Barcelona have pulled several “financial levers” to increase revenue, the being the sale of 25 years of future income from 475 VIP boxes at the Camp Nou - whose reconstruction is still not complete - back in December
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