Marcus Rashford will be a new player for FC Barcelona. The English forward has reached a full agreement with the blaugrana entity. Only a few details with Manchester United needed to be solved, but now there is a white smoke.
The striker, who has been on loan at Aston Villa this season, is not in the plans of United's new coach. Rúben Amorim has given the green light to his departure, and Rashford has not hesitated to choose Camp Nou as his destination.
unprecedented economic agreement
Rashford was among the highest-paid in the Premier League, with a salary of 400,000 euros per week. That figure was impossible for Barça, which is struggling to balance its wage bill. However, the Englishman has accepted a significant pay cut.
Under normal conditions, Rashford's transfer could have cost close to 60 million euros. However, the blaugrana club is not in a position to undertake such an operation without significant sales. Therefore, an alternative formula has been sought.
The exchange has been the key. Thanks to it, Barça gets Rashford practically at zero cost, and also gets rid of one of the highest salaries in the squad.
the big surprise: Araújo, bargaining chip
The Uruguayan defender has had a season full of ups and downs. His performance has dropped significantly, and his mistakes in key matches, such as the elimination against Inter, have left him marked. Hansi Flick had already expressed his doubts about him.
Therefore, when United inquired about his availability, the blaugrana board did not take long to see the opportunity. Ronald Araújo enters the exchange, allowing Barça to free up wage bill and strengthen a priority area for Flick.
Hansi Flick has requested more vertical profiles in attack. He wants quick alternatives, with the ability to break through, score goals, and have international experience. Rashford meets all those requirements and arrives to compete on both wings.
Although he will not be an undisputed starter, the German coach considers him a useful piece to rotate with Ferran, Raphinha, or even Lamine Yamal. The idea is for Rashford to join in the July preseason.
Meanwhile, Araújo will head to Old Trafford, where he will sign until 2030. The center-back trusts he will relaunch his career in the Premier League and become one of the most solid defenders on the continent again. United, in need of defense, is betting heavily on him.
For Barça, his departure is a strategic solution. Flick prefers to bet on Pau Cubarsí, Íñigo Martínez, and Andreas Christensen as pillars in defense. Additionally, Deco already has advanced negotiations with two reinforcements for that line.
Rashford's salary and conditions
Marcus Rashford will sign with FC Barcelona for two seasons, with an option for a third based on objectives. The agreed salary will be around 7 million gross per season, a figure well below the more than 20 he received at United. This salary adjustment has been key for the operation to be completed within Barça's financial fair play limits.
Additionally, Rashford will not receive a signing bonus, but he will have performance, minutes played, and collective titles bonuses included.Which could slightly increase his income if he meets the club's expectations.