Barca finalizes purchase of Rashford, 30 million euros before El Clasico
Hansi Flick is said to have offered Barcelona around €30 million to sign Marcus Rashford before the trip to the Bernabeu. The 27-year-old has scored five goals in 12 games and just scored twice in the 6-1 win in the Champions League.
On the eve of El Clasico at the Bernabeu, Barcelona brought not only the excitement of a 6-1 win over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League to Madrid, but also a clear marketing message: Marcus Rashford is the future of the attack. According to Spanish media, coach Hansi Flick has asked the board to activate a buyout clause worth around €30 million (approximately £26 million) to keep the England striker after the first half of the season on loan from Manchester United.
Key moment: Second-half brace and Flick's message
Early Wednesday morning (Vietnam time), Rashford exploded with a double in the second half, contributing to the 6-1 victory for Barca. Those goals brought his total number of goals this season to 5, ending the days of doubts about his stability when he was at Man United. That sublimation is the basis for Flick to urge Barcelona to "pay 30 million euros" to turn the loan contract into a permanent purchase, a move that is said to have received the approval of Sports Director Deco.
Events and context: Excitement before Bernabeu
Barcelona head into this weekend’s El Clasico in La Liga in a chasing position: they are two points behind Real Madrid. However, morale is high after a big win in the Champions League, and inspired by Rashford – who has played 12 games in all competitions for Barca and is enjoying a more consistent run of form than in the previous period.
Tactical analysis: Why Rashford “is Flick's man”
Flick’s message goes beyond the goals. The German coach values Rashford’s style of play – a key factor in how Barca increase their pace and pressure in the final third. The mental and physical stability Rashford is aiming for also fits the high demands of Barcelona’s current discipline. When a team is running smoothly, the striker has space to exploit, as he showed in the second half against Olympiacos.
Another point of interest is the context: Barca need an attacking force in form ahead of a high-intensity match like El Clasico. Meanwhile, the midfield battle is still open as Frenkie de Jong unexpectedly missed training due to illness three days before the match, leaving his availability in doubt.
Important statistics
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of matches for Barca this season | 12 |
| Goals this season | 5 |
| Record vs Olympiacos | Double in the second half |
| Latest Champions League match scores | 6-1 |
| The gap with Real Madrid in La Liga | 2 points |
| The buyout offer is said to be | Around 30 million euros (≈26 million pounds) |
Insider's voice
During the England training camp in October, Rashford was candid about consistency: “Consistency is hugely important. I feel like I’ve been in an inconsistent environment for so long that it’s been difficult to maintain consistent form. That’s something I have to improve on, I want to be at my best, not just occasionally, but as often as possible,” he told ITV.
The 27-year-old striker added: “To have stability in any field, not just in sport, you need stability in life. My career has gone through so many changes, and now it is time for me to look forward, fix that and perform at my best. When I play at my best, I really enjoy every moment of football, it is a very special feeling.”
Regarding El Clasico, Rashford affirmed: "The match against Real Madrid is one of the reasons why I chose to come here. I am really looking forward to this match."
Impact and prospects
If Barca decide to buy him outright for around €30 million, it would be a “reasonable” deal given the immediate value Rashford brings: goals, confidence and the speed needed to tackle big games. In the short term, his presence opens up the possibility of a positive outcome at the Bernabeu; in the long term, it is the solution to the stability problem that the striker himself is pursuing.
While Real Madrid remain top and have a two-point advantage, this El Clasico could be a turning point: a convincing performance from Rashford would reinforce Flick and Deco's case, and show that Barcelona have found the right player to upgrade their attack for the rest of the season.
