Marcus Rashford has suggested that if he were a magician, he would wave a wand and conjure up a simple way of staying at Barcelona. And why wouldn't he? He is at a great club, in a great place to live, and in a great footballing team. There is a chance Hansi Flick's side will celebrate their title triumph by reaching 100 points for the season. That is some achievement. They are a joy to watch and must be a joy to play for.
Rashford has played a part in their success this season, scoring eight times in La Liga and providing nine assists. Across all competitions, Rashford has scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists. Those are decent numbers. Beyond the statistics, he looks sharp, quick, and in very good nick. Rashford is not 29 until October and should be in peak condition.
The £26million option-to-buy figure for Barcelona looks like very good value. But Barcelona have financial issues, a wealth of attacking talent and, anyway, they see a player who only wants to play for them. No wonder they will try to get him as cheaply as possible if they want to keep him. No wonder they would probably prefer another loan deal. Another loan deal makes no sense for Manchester United. They want to get some money for Rashford, whose Old Trafford contract expires at the end of the 2027/28 season.
It is wildly optimistic - idealistic, even - but the best way forward for the player and his two clubs would be for all parties to be flexible and come to some sort of arrangement. That might involve a staggered transfer fee or perhaps even some give on Rashford's part when it comes to wages. But however it works out, one thing is for sure. Rashford's form has improved at a very opportune time.
His set-piece strike against Real Madrid in Barcelona's title-clinching El Clasico win was his fourth goal in his last six La Liga appearances. He has scored two of those goals when coming on as a substitute. It is an opportune time because his form might help dispel the obvious reservations that some of the Barcelona hierarchy have about Rashford. And it is an opportune time because his form is just what Thomas Tuchel will have wanted to see.
He is a certainty for Tuchel's World Cup squad and is probably favourite to start on the left-hand side of England's attack. That will, of course, be an England attack led by Harry Kane. At this time, football's most familiar biannual question is routinely asked. What will England do if Kane gets injured? It has been tried many times and not worked brilliantly but there is surely still a central striker in Rashford. He is a superb finisher. He looks stronger than ever. It has not worked before but he can lead an attacking line.
And that's why that £26million transfer fee would be a bargain for Barcelona. And that's why Rashford might just be one of Tuchel's most important players this summer.
