Barcelona must decide whether to activate their purchase option for Marcus Rashford — a clause set at £26 million — before the deadline expires on June 15.

The option, which was negotiated as part of the deal that brought Rashford to the Catalan club on loan, gives Barcelona the right — but not the obligation — to sign the Manchester United forward on a permanent basis.

With the deadline now upon them, the Spanish giants face a straightforward choice: commit to the fee and secure Rashford's future at the club, or allow the option to lapse and send the England international back to Old Trafford.

Rashford's loan spell at Barcelona has kept him at the centre of transfer discussions throughout the season. At £26 million, the purchase clause represents a relatively modest outlay for a player of his profile, which could make the decision more compelling for Barcelona's board.

However, Barcelona's well-documented financial constraints continue to complicate major transfer decisions, and whether the club can register a new permanent signing under La Liga's financial fair play regulations remains a key consideration.

If Barcelona choose not to trigger the option, Rashford would return to Manchester United, where his future at Old Trafford is equally uncertain given the club's ongoing rebuild under their new ownership structure.