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Hansi Flick and Deco have reportedly deemed it 'virtually impossible' to find a player of Marcus Rashford's quality – ahead of activating his £26 million permanent transfer clause from Manchester United. Spanish reports this week suggested that the La Liga champions are now ready to make Rashford's move permanent.

The 28-year-old's loan stint at Camp Nou is set to end when the season wraps up, but he has already admitted that he hopes to extend his stay with the Spanish champions. Earlier this month, rumours indicated that the Catalan giants were reluctant to pay the previously agreed fee for a permanent deal, offering United two alternatives: signing Rashford for a lesser amount or extending his loan for another season with a compulsory purchase in 2027.

But that position seems to have drastically changed now, as according to Spanish publication Sport (via Sport Witness), Barca have decided to buy the England international, a decision that will only be altered if he suffers a serious injury.

Flick and Deco are believed to have 'argued' that it's 'virtually impossible' to find a player of Rashford's calibre for €30m (£26m). And the report also claims that the forward is ready to lower his salary to align with their wage structure amid the club's well-documented financial issues.

Rashford has netted 10 goals and provided 13 assists for Barcelona so far this season, and when asked about joining the Catalan giants permamently back in October, he said: “Oh yeah, for sure. I’m enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game so to play here is an honour.

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“I just believe that things happen when they’re supposed to happen. It’s not the first time I spoke with Barcelona about potentially coming here, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen in the past, and now is my opportunity to make it happen. I feel like there’s no time like the present now.”

While speaking just last month, Flick lauded Rashford by saying: "Marcus' performances have been really good until now, so we have to manage it, but it's [sporting director] Deco's job do things for next season. We have to wait.

"We have months to go. For me, of course, with Marcus we have a player on the top level, but also with our situation, and what I appreciate a lot from him [is his desire to be here].

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"This is what I want to say to young players from La Masia: We are Barca and we are one of the best teams in the world. We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow, to train with the best players in the world, the support and the confidence.

"If you want to play with Barca, then it has to be 100 per cent with your whole heart. This is what I want to say to everyone: 100 per cent. These colours, you have to live for them. All the others, I don't want."

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