Barcelona make shock contract decision impacting Marcus Rashford's Man Utd exit

Barcelona are ready to let Robert Lewandowski's contract expire next summer - allowing him to leave for nothing - which has increased their desire to keep Marcus Rashford at the club.

The Spanish giants are in the early phase of trying to retain their La Liga crown and have begun the season impressively, but plans are already being made for next term. It appears that has involved them making the shock decision to let their premier marksman leave.

Lewandowski is now 37 and joined Barcelona from Bayern Munich in a £42.5million deal back in the summer 2022. He's been crucial to their recent success, scoring 105 times in 156 appearances, but the club's bosses will not offer him a new deal.

Catalan paper Sport claim that they don't believe Lewandowski is still able to press with the required intensity and that his decline has begun. That is despite the Pole scoring four La Liga goals in just three starts so far this term.

Lewandowski's wages are also thought to be an issue for the club, who have battled financial issues and penalties recently. The Pole remains a top earner and club boss Deco claimed that they would not be entertaining contract talk this early into the year.

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The sporting director said: "We’re not going to talk about renewals in October. We’re taking it step by step. He’s (Lewandowski) one of the best strikers of recent years, a top-level player. He’s helped us a lot. He’s scored more than 40 goals, but we will analyse it. It’s time to talk about getting injured players back."

The situation means that Rashford could see his dream move become permanent with the Manchester United outcast currently on loan in Spain. He's shown in moments what he can do, scoring a stunning brace as they downed Newcastle in the Champions League.

Whilst Ruben Amorim remains in Manchester, which in itself is a subject for debate, Rashford appears to be frozen out. Leading lights in Barcelona have been impressed by the 27-year-old's work ethic and talent. They can make the deal permanent at the end of the season by paying an initial £25m plus £5m in add-ons.

Rashford has come into Hansi Flick's attack which already included Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who narrowly missed out on the Ballon d'Or recently. Dani Olmo is among their other talents with Barcelona only denied a treble last term by their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.

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