Barcelona sporting director Deco has commended Marcus Rashford for flourishing following the “enormous demands” he endured at Manchester United. The club legend has also disclosed that loan star Rashford came close to joining a different side last summer.
Rashford, 28, completed the switch to Catalonia after losing favour with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. He spent the latter portion of last season on loan at Aston Villa before Barcelona expressed interest in securing his signature. It has now emerged just how determined Villa were to retain the England international. Yet according to Deco, Rashford was focused on only one destination once the opportunity arose, his dream transfer destination.
Speaking to Sport about whether he and the board are satisfied with Rashford’s development, the Barcelona icon confirmed: “Yes, definitely. I think it wasn’t easy to come here. He has played at a very high level, with enormous demands at a club like Manchester United. Then he spent six months at Aston Villa, where he did a very good job. In fact, Aston Villa, they would have kept him if it had been possible.
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“I know this because I’ve spoken to people there. But he only wanted to come to Barca, and that’s a very positive thing. We were able to secure a loan. The fact that he took a pay cut to make it happen is a clear demonstration that he really wanted to come, and we’re very happy about that. He’s a player who contributes a lot to the team.”
Deco, 48, is correct that the wage reduction proved essential in getting Rashford’s Barcelona loan across the line. The Spanish giants’ financial situation prevented them from signing him on his former £300,000-per-week terms at United, and he accepted a cut to £225,000 weekly to facilitate the transfer.
The Portuguese director is also accurate in suggesting that the decision highlighted just how desperately Rashford wanted the switch. This has been evident in his displays at the Camp Nou so far, netting 10 goals and providing 13 assists across 34 appearances.
It’s hardly surprising that Rashford is understood to be keen on turning the temporary arrangement into a permanent deal at the conclusion of this campaign. His contract includes a £26million buy option.
Yet even that figure may prove too steep for Barcelona to commit. The Catalan outfit reportedly have enquired whether United would accept a reduced fee to make Rashford’s transfer permanent.