Marcus Rashford’s permanent transfer from Manchester United to Barcelona appears to have been put on hold as the Catalan club shapes its plans for the upcoming season. The La Liga team had pinpointed Rashford’s experience as a beneficial addition to the young talents they are targeting, but they may now opt to retain Robert Lewandowski in that seasoned role.

The Polish star had been expected to leave, but Barcelona have paved the way for him to remain and have proposed a new contract, albeit on reduced terms. The financial implications of a move for Rashford on Barcelona’s other transfer dealings could yet prove too challenging for club executives as they explore other options.

Despite Hansi Flick’s eagerness to keep Rashford at Camp Nou, Barcelona have chosen to halt progress over a deal where the player’s wage has proven troublesome, according to Sport.

The loanee is prepared to cut his salary by nearly half, by distributing payments over an extended contract but that could still strain the club’s wage cap.

Rashford can transfer to Barcelona with a £26million fee agreed but the overall cost of the package has raised doubts. There is a perception that his permanent stay could affect their capacity to sign a central defender and forward, without making sales.

Barcelona are already rumoured to be in discussions over players of a similar calibre to Rashford, including Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup, Victor Munoz of Osasuna, and Mallorca’s Jan Virgili. With Lewandowski now more likely to stay, this path is more probable.

The Catalan club’s bid to secure defender Alessandro Bastoni and a ‘world-class’ centre-forward could also influence the situation, but the circumstances remain fluid. Rashford’s performance towards the end of the season could still affect his future.

Rashford has netted 10 goals and supplied 13 assists in 39 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish champions.

Lewandowski, who turns 38 this summer, has been proposed a contract worth half of his current fixed salary. The Bundesliga icon will still need assurances over his role with several clubs interested in a free transfer, however.