Rashford pressures Manchester United! The €30 million asking price remains unchanged, following Onana's example to return and enjoy high wages.

Regarding Rashford's destination next season, unsurprisingly, fans have witnessed rumors of back-and-forth tug-of-war. At times, it's said Barcelona is about to trigger the buyout clause, then it's said they won't. This is hardly surprising, precisely the plot of the three-party game between Manchester United, Barcelona, and Rashford.

The latest rumor from Spain's "Marca" indicates that Rashford has contributed only 2 goals in his last 16 matches. Barcelona's executives believe that the €30 million buyout clause plus his high salary, amortized annually to €25 million, is too costly. Given his current performance, he does not deserve such expenditure from the club. Therefore, Barcelona is considering other wing options, especially since Raphinha is frequently injured and a reliable backup is needed.

Regarding this, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reveals that the situation remains unchanged from before. Rashford and Barcelona have already reached an agreement on personal terms, manager Flick approves of the player, and Manchester United is also very willing to sell. The only obstacle to completing the deal is the agreed €30 million buyout clause.

"Barcelona has reached an agreement with Rashford and his agent team on contract terms," Romano explained. "The player himself is willing to stay at Camp Nou, Barcelona also hopes to continue cooperation with him, and Flick is quite satisfied with his performance. But there is still the agreement between clubs; Manchester United insists that Barcelona must activate the €30 million buyout clause."

Regarding Manchester United's stance, Romano said: "Manchester United has consistently emphasized to Barcelona: either pay the €30 million buyout clause, or we will recall Rashford and then make decisions. Perhaps sell him to another club, perhaps keep him in the squad, who knows? Many factors, such as the next manager, could influence the direction of Rashford's story."

Predicting the next step of this deal, Romano stated: "Barcelona hopes to renegotiate with Manchester United to agree on a different structure for the deal. Perhaps another year of loan, but with different conditions, like a mandatory buyout clause. Barcelona hopes to find a new way to reach an agreement with Manchester United, but currently Manchester United is not open to different solutions; they insist on €30 million. So currently, there is no agreement between Manchester United and Barcelona. Rashford has an agreement with Barcelona, but not between the clubs."

BBC's authoritative Simon Stone confirms that Rashford's buyout clause is valid until June 15th, before which Barcelona can activate it anytime. Most British media still believe this deal will happen, although Barcelona seems to hope to haggle over details, while Manchester United is unwilling to negotiate again.

However, the club also knows that if Rashford does not transfer permanently, he will return to Carrington after June 30th, immediately becoming the highest-paid player in the squad. If Manchester United returns to the Champions League, his weekly wage will reach £325,000, the highest income at the club after Casemiro's departure.

Manchester United claims many clubs are interested in Rashford, especially since he is essentially guaranteed a spot in Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming summer's USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup. Manchester United believes they can obtain a higher transfer fee from other teams, but in reality, they cannot.

In Europe, few clubs possess the status and global influence like Barcelona; almost no second team could persuade Rashford to accept a salary reduction.

Above all else, Manchester United's new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe most desires to control the club's wage structure. Rashford and André Onana belong to the wage expenditures he hopes to eliminate. It is said that if Manchester United does not lower the buyout asking price to Barcelona, Rashford has stated he will return to the Red Devils, just as Onana said: "fight for his place," "confident to regain his starting position."

Manchester United prefers not to discuss this publicly; the club hopes first to secure Champions League qualification. Then, the Red Devils will have to face issues like Rashford and Onana directly; negotiations will certainly begin and will not be easy. Two loyal United stars could cost the club nearly £500,000 per week in wages!