Barcelona reportedly demands Rashford to pressure Manchester United, aiming to reduce the buyout fee! Rashford targets 30 assists to prove himself

After moving to Barcelona in the summer transfer window, Rashford started slow but has since become the team's top assist provider. The 27-year-old Manchester United talent has set an impressive target for himself, aiming for 30 to 40 assists this season!

Currently, Rashford has netted 2 goals and assisted 5 times in 9 games. If he keeps up this form and participates in more than 54 matches, he stands a chance to meet his goal. However, Manchester United fans remain skeptical since Rashford managed only 27 assists over the past three seasons combined at United.

If Rashford reaches 30 assists, it would truly indicate that he has transformed at Barcelona, no longer just a solo player but showing real progress. That would justify Barcelona exercising their buyout option. According to the loan deal between Barcelona and Manchester United, they can finalize a permanent transfer for €30 million after this season.

Rashford’s early-season form has earned praise, with England coach Tuchel including him again in the national squad, while Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham surprisingly missed out, making headlines. Although Rashford was two minutes late to a Champions League training session, coach Hans Flick and sporting director Deco are satisfied with his overall performance.

Deco mentioned that whether to buy Rashford permanently and the price are still negotiable with Manchester United. Spain’s Diario Sport reports that although Rashford is performing well, Barcelona is reluctant to pay the full €30 million buyout fee and will try to lower the amount or even extend the loan for another season.

Barcelona believes this is a very feasible approach, especially taking inspiration from Real Betis’s signing of Antony this summer. The Brazilian winger insisted on joining Betis, forcing Manchester United to accept a much lower offer than their initial valuation.

Barcelona thinks that if they want to keep Rashford, reaching an agreement is no problem. The forward understands he must continue making financial sacrifices and even pressure Manchester United to reduce the transfer fee to stay.

Neither Barcelona nor Rashford is in a rush to define the future; both understand that any permanent deal depends on the player’s performance. The condition for a permanent transfer is clear: Rashford must perform well, feel comfortable, and want to remain at Barcelona.

It is certain that Rashford does not want to return to Manchester United, even if coach Ruben Amorim is dismissed. This gives Barcelona a strong negotiating position since United is eager to end their relationship with Rashford, whose weekly wage is £325,000, the second highest in the squad.

For Manchester United, a favorable factor is that Rashford is a product of their youth academy, so any sale price is pure profit; they cannot lose money, only gain more or less. Another option is that Barcelona could offer players in exchange to reduce the cost of acquiring Rashford.

German goalkeeper Ter Stegen is rumored to be among the candidates. Diario Sport reports that Manchester United has inquired about "The Lion." Although the club signed Sena Lamens in the summer, they still want a new goalkeeper to replace Turkish international Altay Bayındır.

Despite having two and a half years left on his contract, Ter Stegen has lost his starting spot at Barcelona, with newcomer Joan Garcia becoming coach Flick’s favorite. The 33-year-old is currently recovering from injury and is expected to return in November. Manchester United, Tottenham, and Newcastle are reportedly interested, possibly pursuing a loan as early as January.