MARCUS RASHFORD could make his Barcelona debut this weekend with his new side’s first pre-season clash officially back on.
Barcelona’s opening game of their Asian tour, against J1 League side Vissel Kobe, was cancelled earlier this week after a “serious breach of contract” by the organisers.
Marcus Rashford is on his way to AsiaX: @FCBarcelona
He signed for Barcelona on loan earlier this weekGetty
Now he could feature for Barca for the first time in JapanReuters
But, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the fixture is now back on.
Sunday’s clash had been cancelled after an alleged non-payment, but the issue has now seemingly been resolved and the match has been rescheduled.
In a statement on Friday, Barcelona said: “FC Barcelona announces that the football first team party are on their way to Japan to begin the 2025 Asian Tour.
“This comes after the Club and the promoter have resolved the issues that caused FC Barcelona two days ago to suspend the game against Vissel Kobe, which is now back on the schedule (27 July).
“Once the first part of the tour is over the party will move on to South Korea to play two games against FC Seoul (31 July) and Daegu FC (4 August).”
Barca posted a snap of Rashford with his thumb up on the plane to Asia on Friday with the caption “R is ready”.
New signings Joan Garcia and Rashford will be two of the big names that could make their debuts.
The Manchester United youth product signed for Barcelona on a year-long loan on Wednesday.
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Barca will be paying the England international’s full £325,000-a-week wages.
He’s unlikely to get paid the same figure should he permanently move to the Nou Camp in 2026.
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If he does make his debut on Sunday, Rashford will be the first England international to wear Barcelona colours since Gary Lineker.
The former Three Lions striker played there for three years between 1986 and 1989.
Rashford’s first competitive game for Barcelona is set to come in La Liga against Mallorca on August 16.
The Red Devils loanee will be hoping to continue the resurgence in form he discovered at Aston Villa in the second half of last season.
