Manchester United threatens Barcelona by considering recalling Rashford! Sir Jim optimizes wages, close to achieving this after clearing him out

Manchester United resumed negotiations with Barcelona concerning Rashford. As reported by "FootballTransfers," United delegates traveled to Spain on Sunday to hold talks with Barcelona officials, with Rashford's future included on the agenda.

Barcelona suffered a 1-2 defeat to Real Sociedad over the weekend, and representatives from Manchester United attended the match at the San Sebastián stadium. They witnessed Rashford coming off the bench and scoring a goal that helped Barcelona save face. Afterwards, United and Barcelona exchanged plans regarding Rashford's situation after the season ends.

Manchester United informed Barcelona that recalling 28-year-old Rashford to their squad remains a possibility, although the specifics of the negotiations are unclear. Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona, where he has performed well, scoring 8 goals and providing 12 assists in 30 matches, contributing to nearly 20 goal involvements.

Barcelona holds a €30 million buyout clause in the loan agreement, plus an additional €5 million in variable fees. While Barcelona wishes to keep Rashford at Camp Nou, the club’s ongoing financial difficulties remain a significant obstacle to completing the deal.

Therefore, Barcelona hopes to extend Rashford's loan for another season and then purchase him in the summer of 2027, or alternatively, if Manchester United lowers the buyout price to €20 million, the transfer could happen this summer. United's mention of recalling Rashford clearly signals to Barcelona that with Ruben Amorim now dismissed, Rashford returning to Old Trafford is no longer an impossible outcome.

Of course, Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe prefers to successfully sell Rashford, as it is a key part of optimizing the club’s wage structure. Currently, United has three players earning over £300,000 per week, and after resolving Casemiro’s £350,000 weekly wage issue, Rashford’s £325,000 per week salary becomes the next target.

Brazilian captain Casemiro is enjoying his time at Manchester United, having re-established himself as a key player this season and hoping to continue with the team. However, the treatment of the "Fat Tiger," who turns 34 next month, has long been a point of dissatisfaction for Sir Jim.

Sir Jim and the management team at INEOS are keen on reforming the wage structure, lowering the squad’s average age, and achieving youthfulness and sustainability. Signing Casemiro to a high-paying long-term contract is definitely not part of their plan.

Thus, during brief renewal talks, Manchester United reportedly offered Casemiro a weekly wage between £120,000 and £150,000, only about one-third of his current salary. Whether the Brazilian midfielder accepts or chooses to leave on a free transfer, Sir Jim’s goal of reducing wage expenses will be fulfilled.

Once Casemiro and Rashford are cleared out, Bruno Fernandes, earning £300,000 per week, will be the only player left on such a high wage. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder might also leave within the next year or two, leaving Old Trafford without any players on such large salaries. The club has recently refused to offer new signings wages exceeding £200,000 per week.

It is said that Manchester United’s main purpose in traveling to Spain was likely not Rashford; otherwise, they would have gone to Camp Nou instead of the Basque region. Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal is reportedly another player attracting United’s attention.

The 28-year-old Oyarzabal has scored for Barcelona before and has netted 6 goals with 3 assists in 17 La Liga appearances this season. His contract includes a €75 million release clause. Manchester United has been monitoring him for some time, and several other clubs have also shown strong interest in the Spanish international.