Mansion Sports - Barcelona is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a high-profile transfer involving Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, following a series of intensive negotiations between the two clubs over the past 48 hours. 

Widely covered by media outlets in both England and Spain, the discussions are understood to have resulted in a mutual agreement for a season-long loan deal, with an option to purchase at the end of the loan period for a fee estimated between €30 and €35 million. 

This development marks a significant step in Barcelona’s efforts to strengthen their attacking depth ahead of the upcoming season.

Rashford Seen as Key to Reinforcing the Left Wing

Barcelona’s renewed urgency in securing Rashford stems from a summer transfer window that has so far fallen short of expectations. 

Previous attempts to sign Nico Williams and Luis Díaz have not materialized, prompting the Catalan club to shift their focus toward Rashford as a viable and strategic alternative for the left flank.

The England international is expected to play a central role in head coach Hansi Flick’s attacking setup. Reports suggest that Rashford will soon travel to Catalonia to undergo medical examinations and complete the necessary contractual formalities. 

Should the process proceed smoothly, he will join the team’s preseason tour in Japan and South Korea immediately upon confirmation.

Rashford’s Shirt Number Remains Undecided

One detail that has sparked considerable public interest is the question of which shirt number Rashford will don at Barcelona. According to Mundo Deportivo, the 26-year-old forward has three potential options: numbers 14, 19, or 22. 

These choices align with La Liga regulations, which mandate that first-team players must select from squad numbers ranging from 1 to 25.

The final decision on Rashford’s shirt number is likely to be announced once the transfer is formally ratified and all necessary registrations are completed.

Barcelona Agrees to Full Salary Coverage to Finalize the Deal

A major point of contention throughout the negotiation process revolved around Rashford’s salary. 

Despite grappling with ongoing financial difficulties, Barcelona has ultimately agreed to fully cover the player’s wages during the loan period — a stipulation that Manchester United deemed non-negotiable from the outset.

Initially, Barcelona had resisted this demand, citing their current budget constraints. However, in order to secure Rashford’s services and ensure the deal would proceed, the club softened its stance and accepted United’s terms in full.

This agreement is seen as a realization of a long-standing aspiration for Rashford, who has previously expressed interest in playing in La Liga and representing a club of Barcelona’s stature. 

With most contractual and logistical elements now resolved, the English forward’s move to Camp Nou is only awaiting official confirmation.