Barcelona rejects Rashford deal and eyes sale of Balde

FC Barcelona has confirmed it will not activate the €30 million buy‑out clause to sign English forward Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, opting instead to keep the player on loan while negotiations continue. The club’s decision leaves Rashford likely to return to Manchester United after a brief spell in La Liga.

At the same time, Barcelona is preparing to offload 22‑year‑old Spanish left‑back Alejandro Balde. Manchester City is reported to be ready to offer up to €70 million, while the Catalan side values the defender around €50 million. Proceeds from the sale are expected to fund new signings such as Joao Cancelo and potentially Marc Cucurella as manager Hansi Flick reshapes the squad for the 2026/27 season.