As Barcelona intensifies its summer rebuild, the club has made a critical decision in its search for a new winger to support Hansi Flick’s vision for next season. In a dramatic shift behind the scenes, Barca sporting director Deco recently held a high-level meeting with the agent of a Premier League attacker, marking a potential breakthrough in the Catalans’ hunt for firepower on the flanks.
The club had been monitoring several high-profile targets, including Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Milan’s Rafael Leao, but one name has recently surged to the front of the queue—Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Hansi Flick has made it clear since his arrival at Camp Nou that reinventing Barcelona’s attacking identity is one of his top priorities. With Raphinha and Lamine Yamal logging excessive minutes due to a lack of alternatives, the German boss has stressed the need for fresh options on the wings—players who can unbalance defences and dominate one-on-one situations.
“Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford are two fantastic players. I like them, and we’ll see what happens,” Flick told the media, underlining his approval of both profiles. But behind closed doors, the club has already shifted gears.
According to Diario Sport, Deco held a discreet but significant meeting at a Barcelona hotel this week with Rashford’s agent, where both sides reportedly expressed interest in making the move a reality.
Marcus Rashford: Barca’s preferred option
Rashford has spent the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa, where he rediscovered glimpses of his best form under Unai Emery. Despite scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists across 41 appearances, Manchester United no longer views the 27-year-old as part of their long-term plans.
Rashford, once seen as a cornerstone of United’s future, has fallen out of favor under new manager Ruben Amorim, who is reportedly open to letting him leave for around $45-56 million.
“Barcelona have had recent contacts regarding Marcus Rashford. He’s a player that both Deco and Hansi Flick really like,” transfer insider Matteo Moretto revealed on X (formerly Twitter). “He already had opportunities to wear the Barca shirt in January. It’s a track that’s still alive.”
That track appears to be heating up again. The Englishman is open to a move abroad and sees Barcelona as a “dream destination”, according to sources close to the player. While Aston Villa have an option to buy, it is expected that Rashford will return to Old Trafford in July, only to be moved on shortly thereafter.
Luis Diaz pursuit hits a wall
In contrast, Luis Diaz—Deco’s long-time favorite—appears out of reach for now. Liverpool have shown little willingness to negotiate, and with the Colombian under contract until 2027, his estimated $90 million valuation makes a deal highly complicated for cash-strapped Barcelona.
Despite his strong season at Anfield—17 goals and 8 assists in over 3,300 minutes of play—Barca consider the move “very, very difficult” at this point, prompting Deco to redirect his efforts toward a more financially viable option in Rashford.
