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Marcus Rashford found himself centre stage at the Camp Nou on Sunday as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 to secure La Liga. The Manchester United loanee has subsequently addressed the possibility of a permanent transfer, though the Spanish media appear split on the issue.

Barcelona hosted fierce rivals Real Madrid on Sunday evening, needing only a single point to guarantee back-to-back league titles. They wasted no time in breaking the deadlock and it was Rashford who provided the breakthrough after only nine minutes. The 28-year-old bent a superb free-kick into the far corner beyond Thibaut Courtois before celebrating wildly.

Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres extended the lead before the 20-minute mark, with the scoreline staying 2-0 as Rashford hoisted La Liga aloft.

Since his loan arrival from United in July, conjecture has swirled around whether Rashford will complete the move permanently, with a reported £26million option included in the arrangement.

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The striker acknowledged, following the title success, that he would favour staying in Catalonia, and while certain Spanish publications agree, not everyone is on board just yet.

AS

Reports indicate that Barcelona regard the £26m purchase option for Rashford from United as excessive, with AS suggesting that irrespective of his displays, a permanent deal will not come to fruition. The publication claims: "Another position the club wants to strengthen this summer is left wing, although in this case they wouldn't be looking for a top player, but rather a young player eager to succeed.

"After the partial fiasco of Marcus Rashford - Barca will under no circumstances pay the £26m purchase option demanded by Manchester United - names like Victor Munoz and Jan Virgili are favoured by the Sporting Commission. In any case, with Raphinha and Fermin Lopez, that position is considered more than covered.

"Deco will have a lot of work to do this summer, as all new signings will be preceded by departures and he also faces the significant obstacle of Financial Fair Play. Players like Marc Casado, Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Rashford and Ronald Araujo are among the main candidates not to continue next season."

Mundo Deportivo

Rashford has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists in what has been an exceptional campaign in La Liga, and Mundo Deportivo adopts a different perspective to its rival publication, indicating that the Real Madrid strike could still alter the course of transfer discussions.

The outlet wrote: "Rashford's sprints and the speed with which he began to decide the Clasico were key: he constantly exploited his pace in open space. But his highlight was the stunning goal he scored from a perfectly executed angled free kick.

"He came close to scoring another, but Courtois didn't concede any more. Who knows if the Englishman's league finish is the first payment to United?"

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Marca

Marca also took umbrage with the notion that Rashford's exit from Barcelona is a foregone conclusion, reporting during the match: "Rashford, on loan from United, is making a strong case to stay at the Camp Nou."

The Spanish publication also drew attention to the fans' viewpoint on the matter, noting in the 64th minute, as Rashford was substituted: "The Spotify Camp Nou gives Dani Olmo and Rashford a standing ovation. Barca is a complete and formidable team."

It heaped further acclaim on Rashford for his goal: "From a free kick on the right flank, where Rashford was positioned, the Englishman displayed his clinical finishing.

"He feinted a shot towards the near post, Courtois took the fateful step and found himself with the ball nestled into the corner. Despite his height of two meters, he couldn't reach Marcus' extraordinary, Declan Rice-esque finish."