European powerhouse plots hostile £17m raid for red-hot United star, INEOS are furious with the deal – reports

Manchester United executives regret the deal struck with FC Barcelona for Marcus Rashford as the English forward’s valuation has rocketed this season, according to a new report. A Spanish Renaissance Rashford is enjoying a resurgence at Camp Nou after joining the Spanish giants on a season-long loan last summer. The 28-year-old academy graduate had lost his way at his boyhood club, with an explosive fallout with Ruben Amorim in December 2024 sealing his fate, given INEOS were keen to be rid of his big-money contract. United’s hierarchy threw their full weight behind the Portuguese head coach and Rashford has not played a minute for the Red Devils since this dispute. He spent the second half of last year with Aston Villa on loan before sealing the switch to Barcelona this season. It has proven a masterstroke for the Manchester native, however, as he has racked up 10 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances for his adopted side, while reclaiming his spot in the Three Lions squad. Marcus Rashford Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played LaLiga2113482-1,251′ UEFA Champions League8454–464′ Copa del Rey3311–223′ Supercopa20—-32′ Total342010132-1,970′ Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick has been blown away by his performances, both in training and on the pitch, and is keen for the loan to become permanent this summer. The Englishman is also described as a “popular figure” in Barcelona’s dressing room. An Expensive Mistake Barcelona included a £26 million buy-option in the deal with United – a bargain price for an England international with Rashford’s experience and versatility. However, LaLiga’s champions are facing acute financial difficulties. Consequently, the club are keen to renegotiate terms towards a lower price, particularly given Rashford’s wages in Manchester are worth in excess of £300,000 a week. There is a sense that Barcelona hope to exploit the loanee’s desperation to remain at Camp Nou, given he could simply reject any alternative offers that United may receive for his services. One report contends the Catalans will look to strike a deal worth between £17-22m. This has caused anger at Old Trafford, with INEOS “ruing the arrangement” agreed last summer, according to The Express. The report reveals United executives believe Rashford’s form means he would now command a “fee nearer £50m” on the open market. “Multiple clubs” are understood to have expressed interest in signing the forward should the deal with Barcelona fall through, further strengthening this belief as a bidding war may erupt. Instead, United are set to bank around half the price they could, or even less if they can’t convince their penny-pinching counterparts in Spain to stick to the original agreement. The National reports INEOS will “not budge” on the figure, leading to a potential game of brinkmanship this summer. Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.