Barcelona will not pay a €30m buy option linked to Marcus Rashford because the clause expires in just five days, according to Fabrizio Romano’s breaking update.
The report explains that Barcelona’s stance means the club is choosing not to trigger the specific payment required to secure Rashford permanently under the terms currently tied to the deal. With the buy option deadline approaching, Barca are effectively left with the decision of whether to pursue alternative paths rather than simply activating the option as written.
Romano states that Rashford is formally set to return to Manchester United once the current agreement period ends. In practical terms, that return is tied to the timeline and the expiration of the clause Barcelona would otherwise need to pay to keep the player beyond the existing arrangement.
Even though Barca won’t pay the €30m buy option, they are still not closing the door entirely. The update highlights that Barcelona remain open to discussing new solutions for the forward—particularly a potential loan arrangement that could allow Rashford to stay in the Catalan club environment without triggering the expiring clause.
This means the relationship between the clubs is not necessarily over. The key factor now becomes whether Manchester United will consider “open doors” for further discussions. In other words, Barca may try to negotiate again, but any renewed talks would depend on how MUFC responds to the possibility of another deal.
Romano’s note underscores that the situation is time-sensitive. Since the buy clause expires soon, Barcelona cannot wait indefinitely to act under the original terms. Their decision not to pay €30m prevents the permanent transfer from being completed through the existing mechanism, and that accelerates the need for fresh negotiations if Barca want another outcome.
While the report does not claim Barcelona and Manchester United have already agreed on an alternative plan, it clearly indicates Barca’s willingness to keep working on possibilities. The mention of another loan deal suggests Barcelona’s preferred approach could involve renegotiating terms that fit the new circumstances after the buy option lapses.
The broader context is that Rashford’s status is in transition. On one side, he is described as formally set to come back to Man United, which would align with the default interpretation of the clause’s expiration. On the other side, Barcelona’s openness indicates they still see value in the player and are prepared to explore the negotiation route again rather than accepting a definitive end to the current chapter.
Romano’s breaking information also implies that Barcelona’s decision is strategic and likely tied to their assessment of the cost and conditions of the buy option relative to available alternatives. By not paying the €30m figure through the clause, the club retains flexibility to pursue a different arrangement—such as a revised loan structure—if a deal becomes feasible.
The update therefore frames the immediate future as follows: (1) Barcelona will not activate the €30m buy option because the deadline expires within five days; (2) Rashford is expected to return to Manchester United as part of the formal setup; and (3) Barcelona remain open to re-engaging negotiations, especially if MUFC shows willingness to discuss again.
In short, this is not simply a done deal or a permanent closure. It is a deadline-driven complication that could still produce a resolution involving Barcelona and Rashford, but only if the clubs can agree on a new framework after the expiring clause. According to Fabrizio Romano (Source).
Fabrizio Romano: 🚨 BREAKING: Barcelona will NOT pay €30m buy option clause for Marcus Rashford, expiring in 5 days. Rashford formally set to return to Man United but Barça remain open to new solutions, like another loan deal. ❗️ Barça are open to discuss again if #MUFC open doors. 🔵🔴. #breaking
— @FabrizioRomano May 1, 2026
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