Insider: Man United 'will not accept' cut-price deal as on-loan star could now return

Marcus Rashford could miss out on his dream move to Barcelona as Manchester United are not prepared to budge on his transfer fee.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed a strong season and contributed heavily to the Catalan club winning La Liga, and hopes to agree a permanent deal when the window opens.

However, Barcelona remain in a difficult financial situation and had hoped to negotiate a fee lower than the £26million option to buy fee agreed in his loan terms.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the £26million fee is a “bargain” and the Red Devils will not accept offers below that value.

Instead, there is a feeling Rashford could return to Old Trafford, while rival European clubs are preparing to tempt him away ahead of a busy summer for Man United.

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Brown told Football Insider on 7 April that Barcelona are holding talks over signing Rashford as they aim to agree a cut-price fee with Man United.

However, United are not prepared to lower their asking price as they aim to use the funds from the England international’s sale to reinvest in their squad.

Should Barcelona fail to meet the asking price, it could open the door for some of their rivals to swoop, with the winger’s future very much up in the air.

“Man United aren’t looking to sell him on the cheap,” Brown told Football Insider.

“So it might be difficult for Barcelona to agree a deal, because from what I’ve heard they’re trying to negotiate a lower price than the one previously agreed.

“I doubt that’s going to be possible because if they’re going to sell, United will want to reinvest the money back into the squad.

“£26million is a bargain for somebody of Marcus Rashford’s quality, anything less than that would be a robbery, and Man United know that.

“They will not accept anything less than the fee they’ve already agreed to.

“Especially when there’s interest from elsewhere, and the other clubs would probably be willing to pay more, even if Barcelona are still the favourites.”

While it has been widely reported that Rashford is keen to complete a permanent move to Barcelona this summer, there are still a number of options for him.

Paris Saint-Germain are among a number of clubs on the continent willing to make a move, while Premier League suitors including Newcastle and Tottenham are keen.

Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Rashford could return to Man United and rebuild some of the bridges that were burnt in last summer’s exit.

Rashford left Man United last summer under a cloud after falling out with Ruben Amorim and publicly declaring his desire to move on for a new challenge.

However, with Michael Carrick now in charge, there is a feeling that the winger would be perfect for the new style of play in place at Old Trafford.

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