MEN: UCL quarter-finalists now ‘desperate’ to enter talks with Man Utd and negotiate deal for in-form star

Barcelona are seemingly willing to do everything but pay up for Marcus Rashford this summer.The Blaugrana have the option of signing him permanently from Manchester United for £26 million upon the culmination of his loan spell.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYBarcelona and Rashford: The state of playHowever, Barcelona are doing their utmost to try and bypass the clause and either buy Rashford for a reduced fee, or take him on another season-long loan – both of which United are completely closed off to.One report from a Catalan-based journalist on Wednesday stated that the forward’s buy option had expired at the end of March, but Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston has since spoken out to dispute such claims.He said: “Reports claiming Barcelona’s option to sign Marcus Rashford for £26m (€30m) has expired are false.“Barca seem desperate to pay a lower fee for Rashford, but #mufc have taken an admirable stance: pay the fee, or don’t sign him.”United must continue to stand firm in Rashford talksIn fairness, United couldn’t be making it any easier for a deal to be agreed.They are more than open to selling Rashford after he fell out of favour at Old Trafford, and Barcelona are willing buyers.Yet, if they continue with their antics of trying to lowball over a fee, the Red Devils will take their business elsewhere, and are of the belief they wouldn’t struggle in finding a suitor willing to match their desired price.How Rashford is faring in CataloniaThe 28-year-old has enjoyed improved form since making the switch from his boyhood club to the La Liga giants last summer.In the 39 appearances he’s made across all competitions, Rashford has returned 10 goals and 13 assists.The only issue he’s having to navigate is that the sheer attacking depth and quality that Hansi Flick has at his disposal has resulted in Rashford not being a concrete starter. Appearances Starts Minutes played 39 21 2,103 (Rashford’s record for Barcelona thus far)Since returning from a brief injury layoff last month, he has been an unused substitute twice – one of which came in the second leg of Barcelona’s Champions League last-16 thrashing of Newcastle United – and has featured for just 26 minutes in two cameos.