Marcus Rashford sees move to Barcelona ruined by former Manchester City defender: report

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Will Rashford join Barcelona? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Marcus Rashford is facing a huge stumbling block in signing for Barcelona this January, and it's all to do with an ex-Manchester City defender.

After making his desire to leave Manchester United clear at the end of 2024, Rashford has been frozen out of Ruben Amorim's side, with a move in January looking the inevitable outcome.

That is by no means a foregone conclusion at this point in the transfer window, however, with problems arising at Barcelona's end that could block Rashford from joining.

Marcus Rashford might be unable to sign for Barcelona

Marcus Rashford looks set to leave Manchester United on loan this month

Rashford looked destined to leave Man United this month (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to The Athletic, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen to keep Eric Garcia at the club following his Champions League goal against Benfica on Tuesday night, as well as the Spaniard's desire to stay and fight for his place.

Garcia had made just six starts in all competitions for Barcelona this season, and looked set to leave Catalonia in the January transfer window in search of more regular minutes. Como were willing to pay around £6m for the former Manchester City defender, but the decision to keep him at Barcelona will likely block Rashford from signing.

Barcelona's Spanish defender #24 Eric Garcia celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona at Luz stadium in Lisbon on January 21, 2025. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images) Marcus Rashford

Garcia staying could rule out Rashford's move (Image credit: Getty Images)

That's because, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona would only be able to sign the Manchester United man by freeing up space on the wage bill. Ansu Fati is another player who could still leave this winter, so there's still a glimmer of hope for Rashford to achieve his "dream" move.

"Financial Fair Play, to make it happen, they need space on the financial point of view. So Eric Garcia, interest from Como with £6m bid. Interest also from Girona," Romano said.

"And also the situation of Ansu Fati - stays, leaves, loan, permanent - what the player wants to do. Because Ansu Fati, as of today, is still not giving the green light to an exit."

Rashford, meanwhile, looks even more likely to stay at Manchester United for the remainder of the season. Borussia Dortmund have been priced out of a move for the 27-year-old, while AC Milan signing Kyle Walker has put an end to any potential of Rashford signing there - Italian sides are only allowed to sign one British player per year.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it seems most likely that Rashford will remain at Old Trafford this term. Whether he will play or not is an entirely different matter, though, with Ruben Amorim clearly not a fan of Rashford making his desire to leave the club so public a few weeks ago.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. 

Read more
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Manchester United's Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford to complete Barcelona move - but it relies on one key detail: report
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United report: Marcus Rashford has already agreed permanent Barcelona transfer before, with dream loan move now on cards
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 07, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Manchester United report: Marcus Rashford could be stopped from leaving - by BREXIT
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Manchester United report: Barcelona agree personal terms with Marcus Rashford
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford looks set for January loan move as Manchester United future becomes clearer: report
Marcus Rashford's situation at Manchester United is still yet to be resolved
Manchester United to repeat trick for Marcus Rashford exit as new loan details emerge
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed