Barcelona have been told there is not much risk in keeping Marcus Rashford at the club beyond the end of his loan spell.
However, the Spanish giants could opt for another temporary call-up rather than a permanent move for the England international.
3
Rashford joined Barca on loan from Manchester United in the summer, with the deal including an option to buy.
This clause is believed to be worth £30m at the end of the campaign.
Since then, the 28-year-old has scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 27 appearances across all competitions for the club this season.
Only Lamine Yamal has scored more goals with nine goals and eleven assists.
Rashford’s arrival came after he spent the second half of last season at Aston Villa after falling out of favor under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Although the Portuguese coach has now left United, Rashford’s future appears to lie with Barca.
Should Barca sign Rashford permanently?
European football journalist Andy Brassell believes the finances of the deal mean Rashford is likely to stay at the Nou Camp beyond this season.
Speaking to The Pitch Prospect, Brassell said: “I think it’s probably the most financially sensible deal out there.”
“It may be the cheapest financial contract out there. They may even loan it for another year.”
“His wages have been taken a decent cut and if United are interested in signing him permanently, and if something can be sorted out, it feels like one of the best deals there is for Barcelona because they know he already works there. The risk isn’t as big as buying a new player.”
3
“I think if they go out there and try to buy someone of Marcus Rashford’s quality on the open market, it’s going to be a lot more expensive.”
“We also have to remember that next season they will probably, almost certainly, remove Robert Lewandowski’s salary from the books.”
Robert Lewandowski is currently out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to sign a new deal.
However, his current contract contains a performance-based extension clause.
Nevertheless, the Polish striker is expected to leave the club in the summer after four years.
Lewandowski turns 38 in August and has already missed five games this season due to muscle injuries.
3
His goal against Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday took his tally to 111 in 167 appearances for Barca.
Meanwhile, Rashford made a seven-minute cameo from the bench in Hansi Flick’s side’s 3-2 win.