Fabrizio Romano has reported a major development in the future of Marcus Rashford, with Barcelona making it clear they will not trigger a €30m buy option clause tied to his situation. The key detail in the update is timing: the buy option clause is set to expire in just five days, and Barcelona are choosing not to pay the required amount to secure Rashford permanently.
This means Barcelona will not convert the current arrangement into an outright purchase at the end of the option window. Instead, the club appears to be leaving its options open rather than committing immediately to a permanent transfer fee. Romano’s report frames Barcelona’s decision as a deliberate refusal to activate the clause, which suggests the club either does not view the €30m price as the right value, does not plan to finalize a long-term deal under current terms, or wants to explore alternative structures.
At the same time, Rashford’s next destination is reportedly moving closer to Manchester United. Romano states that Rashford is formally set to return to Man United, indicating that Barcelona’s choice not to pay the buy option could pave the way for him to go back to his parent club once the clause expires.
However, the story does not end with an automatic return. Romano also explains that Barcelona remain open to “new solutions,” including the possibility of another loan arrangement. In other words, even though Barcelona will not pay the €30m buy option, they might still look for a way to keep Rashford in the squad through a different agreement format. This could mean negotiating another temporary deal rather than making a permanent commitment.
Romano’s update further emphasizes that Barcelona are willing to re-enter discussions, but that their willingness depends partly on whether Manchester United are open to renewed negotiations. The report indicates that Barcelona are open to discuss again if MUFC (Manchester United) “open doors,” meaning if United agree to a new arrangement. The language suggests that the ball is, at least partially, in Manchester United’s court regarding whether they will consider another loan or some other solution.
In practical terms, this creates a conditional pathway for Rashford’s future. On one hand, the expiration of the buy option and Barcelona’s refusal to pay strongly point toward Rashford returning to Manchester United. On the other hand, Barcelona’s continued interest and the mention of another loan deal keep hope alive for a scenario in which Rashford might remain in Spain for an extended period, albeit under renewed terms.
The report also reflects how clubs often manage player decisions around contract and option clauses. Buy options can act as a financial and strategic lever. If a club does not see the long-term value at the specified price—or if budget priorities and squad planning don’t line up—choosing not to pay can be a way to avoid locking into a transfer that may not be ideal. Meanwhile, leaving the relationship open can keep negotiations alive for different structures, such as another loan.
For Rashford, this creates an uncertain but potentially flexible end point. Rather than being fully determined by the clause alone, his situation seems to hinge on how negotiations proceed after the option expires. The fact that Romano describes Rashford as formally set to return to Man United indicates the default outcome, but the mention of Barcelona remaining open suggests the situation could still change if United and Barcelona can agree on a new deal.
Overall, the update delivers a clear headline: Barcelona will not pay €30m to activate the buy option for Rashford before it expires in five days. Yet it simultaneously leaves the door open to continued cooperation between the clubs, particularly if another loan is feasible and if Manchester United are willing to negotiate again. With Rashford’s future poised between a return to England and a possible new Spanish arrangement, the next stage will depend on talks between Barcelona and Manchester United.
Source: Fabrizio Romano
Fabrizio Romano: 🚨 BREAKING: Barcelona will NOT pay €30m buy option clause for Marcus Rashford, expiring in 5 days. Rashford formally set to return to Man United but Barça remain open to new solutions, like another loan deal. ❗️ Barça are open to discuss again if #MUFC open doors. 🔵🔴. #breaking
— @FabrizioRomano May 1, 2026
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