Marcus Rashford's Barcelona dream 'over', race for Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol heats up - Euro Transfer News

In Wednesday's Euro Transfer News, Marca insist that Marcus Rashford’s hopes of joining Barcelona are over after the Spanish champions refused to meet their option-to-buy agreement with Manchester United.

The England international joined Barca on a season-long loan, producing 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions this term.

The two clubs reportedly agreed a €30 million option-to-buy as part of the loan agreement, a relatively small fee for a forward with so much experience at the highest level.

However, Marca have said that Barcelona do not intend to exercise their option to buy, meaning Rashford will return to England for now.

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”It's over,” reads the article. ”Marcus Rashford will not be at Barcelona next season.

”The Catalan club has decided not to exercise the purchase option they held on the striker, which they signed last summer with Manchester United as part of the loan agreement.

”Barcelona will not pay the €30 million fee, and the player will therefore return to the English club.”

Race for Gvardiol heats up

Florian Plettenberg believes that Josko Gvardiol has a choice between signing a new contract at Manchester City or joining Real Madrid this summer.

Bayern Munich had also been linked with the Croatian international, but Plettenberg says that the German giants think he is too expensive.

Gvardiol has impressed in defence and attack since arriving in the Premier League in August 2023, but he only made 18 top-flight appearances during the 2025/26 campaign due to injury.

Plettenberg says that the ball is firmly in Gvardiol's court ahead of a crucial summer for the 24-year-old.

”Understand Josko Gvardiol will decide between two options: either signing a contract extension with Man City beyond 2028 - a concrete offer is already on the table - or making a move to Real Madrid this summer,” he posted on X.

”Real‘s interest is concrete. However, MCFC are pushing to keep him.  

”FC Bayern are 100% out of the race.

”There is huge appreciation for the 24 y/o top centre-back, but he is considered too expensive, and there is currently no need in that position, as reported.”

Mourinho wants Fernandes

José Mourinho has told Real Madrid’s hierarchy that he wants to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, according to AS.

Fernandes was one of the few shining lights during a difficult campaign for The Hammers, producing three goals and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances.

Benfica confirmed on Wednesday that Mourinho will leave the club in a €15 million (£13m) deal to become the new head coach of Real.

AS insists he has already drawn up a list of summer signings that also includes France international Ibrahima Konate and Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries.

”Jose Mourinho is clear, after several talks with Real Madrid's management, that in addition to strengthening the defence, as already done with Konaté and Dumfries, his other top priority is to bolster and revitalise the midfield,” reads the article.

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”Several names have surfaced in recent weeks in connection with the Madrid club, but there is one in particular that the new Real Madrid manager is particularly fond of.

”Mateus Fernandes, the 21-year-old midfielder from West Ham, a club currently mired in a significant institutional crisis.”

Leao speaks out on Milan future

AC Milan forward Rafael Leao believes he has done what he set out to achieve at the San Siro amid speculation that he could join Manchester United this summer.

Leao enjoyed another successful campaign in Milan, producing `10 goals and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

The Serie A side missed out on UEFA Champions League football after finishing fifth, but the Portugal international insists he would be satisfied with his time at the club if he left this summer.

”If it were to happen, I would leave happy to have helped bring the club where it deserves to be,” he said.

”I have already achieved what I wanted to achieve with AC Milan.

”In football, you can never say never; you never know what the future holds.

”If I leave, I would be satisfied to have helped bring the club where it deserves to be.”

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Video credit: TNT Sports

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