Marcus Rashford's future at FC Barcelona has taken another twist, with Laporta's emphatic re-election potentially the deciding factor in whether the 28-year-old English forward makes his Camp Nou stay permanent this summer.
Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United last summer with a €30 million buy option, and quickly made an impact under Hansi Flick — racking up 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions. Personal terms between the player and the club are reportedly agreed in principle, with Rashford willing to take a salary cut to comply with La Liga's financial regulations.
However, the saga has recently taken a murkier turn. Reports from Marca and The Telegraph suggest Barcelona are no longer certain to activate the clause, with sporting director Deco exploring alternative wide options including Jan Virgili and Ez Abde. Laporta himself told Jijantes: "We could extend the loan further; it depends on what Deco wants. There are formulas — paying part of the buy option and figuring out the rest later."
Manchester United, meanwhile, are standing firm. The Premier League club insist the €30m fee is non-negotiable and are reportedly reluctant to entertain another loan arrangement, aware that Rashford has no desire to return to Old Trafford.
Laporta's re-election, confirmed on Sunday with 68% of the vote, is seen as a boost for Rashford. The president is known to be a strong supporter of the forward, and sources close to the deal suggest his continued presence at the club will accelerate rather than delay a final decision. With Barcelona still leading La Liga and targeting the Champions League quarter-finals, Rashford — who played at St James' Park against Newcastle in the first leg — could still play a pivotal role in the most important weeks of the season.