Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan from Manchester United.
The deal includes an option to make the move permanent next summer for a fee in the region of €35 million (£30.3m).
Barcelona will cover the entirety of the 27-year-old’s salary during his time at the club, with Rashford understood to have accepted a reduction to help facilitate the move.
The forward flew to Spain on Sunday after the two clubs reached an agreement, and was spotted in Catalonia on Tuesday. He trained with his new teammates for the first time later in the day and is expected to be involved in the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of Japan.
Rashford has not featured for Manchester United since December and spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, where he scored four goals in 17 appearances before a hamstring injury ended his campaign in April.
Barcelona had been seeking a versatile forward capable of operating from wide positions, with left wing considered a key area to strengthen. Rashford had been monitored by sporting director Deco for some time, with initial contact made as early as January.
Talks progressed significantly in June, when Rashford’s agent and brother Dwaine Maynard held meetings in Barcelona. It was reported at the time that the player favoured a move to La Liga if the opportunity arose.
Head coach Hansi Flick approved the deal after holding direct talks with the England international. Rashford becomes the club’s latest attacking addition in a window that has seen Barcelona struggle to make permanent signings due to ongoing financial constraints.
“This is a fresh start,” Rashford said during his presentation. “It’s a huge club and I’m excited to get going. I want to help the team compete on all fronts.”
Rashford had been training alone since returning to Carrington earlier this month, having been among a group of players United permitted to explore moves away from the club.
United hope that removing his wages from the books will ease financial pressure while giving the academy graduate a platform to reignite his form.
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