Marcus Rashford was really close to joining Barça, but everything fell apart for a reason. The Englishman was willing to wait and even lower his salary, trusting that a positive deal could be closed for all parties. However, at one point Deco completely changed his mind and decided to put the loan on the back burner, with a clear objective.
The podcast "Barça Reservat" from Catalunya Ràdio has revealed that the possible arrival of Marcus Rashford didn't sit well with the environment of several Barça players. Specifically, we would be talking about their respective representation agencies and closest family members. Concern was expressed from the environment of players like Araújo, Gavi, or Pedri about this possibility.
In this regard, they pointed out that once Barça was economically recovered and returning to the 1:1 rule, it was preferable to regularize the situation of several footballers before bringing in Rashford. After conveying this concern, Deco focused on ensuring the continuity of the core of the squad, trying to normalize contracts to the current economic situation.
This has been seen in recent weeks, with the renewals of several important Barça professionals being confirmed, and the arrival of Marcus Rashford being ruled out. Finally, the forward ended up being loaned to Aston Villa, which could keep him permanently at the end of his loan for about 40 million.
The condition Marcus Rashford set to sign for Barça
Marcus Rashford chose Barça to leave Manchester United as soon as possible, where the atmosphere was very toxic for him. His relationship with the new coach, Rúben Amorim, was nonexistent, he felt ignored by someone with no past at Old Trafford, and he was not willing to continue enduring this ordeal.
Amorim didn't want to see him in his locker room anymore, and Manchester United put him on the market hoping for a good offer. But Rashford only wanted to go to Barça, to which he only demanded security in registration. And after the Olmo case, he already knew it was difficult to convince Javier Tebas for Barça to register Marcus Rashford.
Finally, Deco made the decision to stay as he was and regularize the situation of several players in the squad. Marcus Rashford ended up going to Aston Villa, while Barça is happy with the work done and for having secured the future of several top-level stars.