Marcus Rashford £26m transfer delay explained as Barcelona warn Man Utd star

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Barcelona won't be hurried into making a call on Marcus Rashford's future , according to Deco's latest transfer update. And it's sent a clear message that the Catalan giants understand plenty can change for the Manchester United loanee between now and June.

Speculation continues over when - or indeed if - Barca will commit to signing Rashford, 28, on a permanent basis. The club have an option to convert the England international's loan into a permanent transfer for £26million, widely viewed as excellent value given his performances this campaign.

However, Rashford's form has dipped over recent months, suggesting the Spanish side may have been wise not to rush their decision. And sporting director Deco has offered crucial insight into the club's approach to transfers heading into this summer.

Deco appeared on the 'Que t'hi Jugues!' podcast during Barcelona's presidential election day . He was asked about potential interest in Atletico forward Julian Alvarez and made it plain that much can unfold between now and the summer transfer window opening.

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While stopping short of denying Barcelona's interest, the former Portugal midfielder responded: "Julian Alvarez? There are a lot of unknowns; three months is an eternity."

From that, one can understand precisely why Barcelona aren't rushing to secure Rashford's signature before the deadline on his purchase clause expires. Not when the forward's form could easily be derailed between now and then.

A significant injury or personal issue could drastically alter how they view the player as a long-term investment. Rashford has managed to remain largely injury-free during his stint at the Camp Nou, but that could change at any time.

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There's also the reality that the Mancunian's form has declined considerably compared to his blistering start to life in Spain. Rashford hasn't registered a direct goal contribution since January 31 when he netted in a 3-1 thrashing of Elche.

It didn't take long for excitement to build around his signing when Rashford made an instant impact under Hansi Flick. He bagged six goals and provided seven assists in the two-month period between mid-September and mid-November.

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That's in contrast to a return of just three goals and one assist between mid-December and mid-March, albeit with a two-week winter break included. Based on his more recent performances, Barca may not be so keen to splash out for the Premier League star.

Unlike Alvarez, Barcelona already know exactly how much they'd need to shell out to secure Rashford on a permanent contract. Plus, his signature would come at a fraction of the fee, which is welcome news for a club that can't currently go toe-to-toe with the sport's biggest spenders.

Despite any goodwill he's accumulated in Catalonia this season, it appears Rashford will be waiting until the 11th hour to discover his destiny. And that means United and their supporters may also need patience before uncovering Barcelona's real plans.