Barcelona make early Marcus Rashford transfer decision after Man Utd surprise

Barcelona already want to make Marcus Rashford's loan from Manchester United into a permanent deal. The England international has impressed for the Catalan side in his early weeks with the club and the La Liga giants cannot believe their luck.

Rashford, 27, is said to be available to Barca for £30million at the end of the season. The option to sign him permanently is available for £25m, plus a further £5m in add-ons, with United also holding a share of any future sell-on fee.

Barcelona have been pleasantly surprised by Rashford's quick start, after they had a degree of hesitation over completing a deal. While the club had its own financial issues as an initial barrier, there was an element of distrust over why the Red Devils were willing to let him go.

Barca chiefs initially feared there could be something wrong with the star forward, but Rashford's representative, his brother Dwaine, convinced them that the United academy product would not mess them around, according to reports. The Spanish side now believes they have a bargain available to them.

Rashford has bagged three goals and five assists in his ten appearances, despite not adding a goal contribution in the first three of those outings. The forward has more goals and assists than any of his team-mates so far this term.

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And Rashford appears equally as enamoured with Barca, as the club is with him. The goalscorer only has eyes for extending his stay despite interest from the likes of Paris Saint-Germain.

The ex-Aston Villa loanee has made his intentions clear publicly. "[I want to stay for] as many [seasons] as possible. We will see," he told TNT Sports.

"I have to focus on trying to do my job and trying to help the team in whichever way I can."

After an impressive display against Newcastle United in the Champions League, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was effusive in his praise. "I am not surprised [by his goals]," Flick said.

"I think he's a fantastic player. His skills are unbelievable and his finishing is unbelievable. I think also in the first half, he tried to create chances, but the finishing wasn't there. In the second half it was.

"For a striker, it's always good to score. I am really happy. He is an important player. When we spoke before the season about what we needed in the team, we felt we needed a player like him. When we had this chance [to sign him], I said we have to do it. He's an outstanding player."

Rashford is currently part of Thomas Tuchel's England squad, coming off the bench against Wales. The attacker will hope for a greater role against Latvia to continue his impressive early-season form.

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