Marcus Rashford’s late free kick against Real Madrid was framed by the player as a fitting finale to his time at Barcelona, but the club’s decision over a permanent transfer remains unresolved.

It has been widely reported that the freshly crowned league champions will not trigger the $35.3 million (£26 million, €30 million) buy-option in Rashford’s loan deal. Barça are said to be exploring alternatives, including a second season on loan or a renegotiated fee. United, however, reportedly have no interest in any adjustments to the original arrangement, particularly as a queue of alternative suitors forms.

Rashford has been reticent since Barcelona’s reluctance to seal his permanent arrival emerged. When asked about his future after the showpiece fixture he sounded content. “This is the perfect way I want it to end,” Rashford told ESPN. “I’m very happy, I just want to enjoy today. I live in the moment. At the end of the season we will see. I came here to win and we do this, so I’m very happy. It’s an incredible feeling.”

He went on to make clear where he would like to remain. “I am not a magician, but if I was, I would stay,” he told assembled reporters on Sunday. “We will see.

“I came here to win. I want to win as many things as I can. This is one more to add to this. This is a wonderful team, they’re going to win so much in the future; to be a part of that would be special.”

Pressed for certainty he offered little more. “I don’t know,” was all he would offer to direct questions of whether he was staying at Barcelona.

Manager Hansi Flick set an immediate target for the champions. “We want to reach 100 points,” Barcelona’s grieving coach warned. “It’s still possible. This is the next goal.”

Rashford is expected to play a significant role in the run-in while Lamine Yamal recovers from a hamstring injury. There is then the World Cup with England, where he may very well be a starter for Thomas Tuchel, before attention turns to his next club.

Barcelona view Julián Álvarez as their primary target to strengthen the attack for 2026–27, but the club is weighing contingency plans as interest from Atlético Madrid and other suitors complicates any straightforward transfer. The Catalans insist they will be in a position to spend heavily on a striker this summer, yet their economic constraints could again shape the window.

Chelsea’s João Pedro has been linked as a possible target, though the club acknowledge a move would be difficult. ESPN’s report suggests Pedro is considered a “cheaper” option than Álvarez, but Chelsea would still demand a significant fee. Chelsea’s fragile financial outlook and the risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League could force the club to generate income and consider sales.

Hoffenheim’s 23-year-old Fisnik Asllani is on Barcelona’s radar after reaching double-digit goals and registering seven assists in his first full Bundesliga season. The Kosovo international has appeared to show affinity for Barcelona, posting social media images watching their games, and his agent has revealed there is interest from the Catalan club. “I’ve always dreamt of playing for Barcelona,” Asllani said back in October. Asllani would represent a lower-cost, high-potential option.

Another option is Atlético teammate Alexander Sõrloth. The Norwegian has scored seven goals and assisted three more in 15 career games against Barcelona and has proven his quality in La Liga. At 30 years old, he would likely be a more affordable short-term solution, offering similar traits to Robert Lewandowski and serving as a bridge forward while the club stabilises finances.

Free agent Dušan Vlahović, leaving Juventus after four-plus difficult years, appeals because of his cost-free transfer and age, 26, despite a modest return of six goals in 2025–26 and no 20-plus goal season since 2021–22.

Omar Marmoush, struggling for minutes at Man City with only seven Premier League starts and 17 appearances this season following additions to the squad, and Victor Osimhen, who has impressed for Galatasaray in recent Champions League action and remains a potent 27-year-old striker, are further alternatives Barcelona could pursue if Álvarez proves unattainable.

Frenkie de Jong has confirmed he weighed up a move to Manchester United in 2022, but ultimately decided to remain at Barcelona. The midfielder said Barcelona were willing to sell and United were prepared to buy, yet it was De Jong who halted the transfer.

On the decision he told The Guardian: “Of course, it’s crossed your mind at times, like, ‘O.K., what should I do?’”

Manchester United, recognizing the need for a deep-lying midfielder to make Erik ten Hag’s system function, shifted their focus to Casemiro when a deal for De Jong did not materialize.

Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford has been mixed. He enjoyed an excellent debut season before encountering a loss of form and falling out of favour after the arrival of Ruben Amorim, whose 3-4-2-1 formation would likely have created the same issues for De Jong.

Yet Casemiro later recovered his form and, the club have said, he has been among the primary reasons for United’s resurgence in the second half of the current campaign.

On his future, De Jong added: “So as long as I’m good enough to be a starter here, to make an impact and Barcelona is at the level I want to play at—with the sense that they’ll be competing for the major trophies—then there’s no reason for me to go.”

Age and timing are an important contrast. Having recently celebrated his 34th birthday, Casemiro will leave Old Trafford this summer as he prepares to bring his career to a close, while De Jong is on the cusp of turning 29.

The consequence of signing an older midfield anchor is clear: Manchester United must again search for a high-cost midfielder to occupy the base of their midfield.