Fabrizio Romano
Barcelona are expected to revisit their interest in Luis Díaz, having already marked him as a key priority at the beginning of the summer transfer window. Sporting director Deco identified the Colombian international as a perfect fit for the new-look attacking system under Hansi Flick — a player who brings flair, intensity, and consistent end product on the left flank. Deco’s summer blueprint, in fact, reportedly began with Díaz included as a foundational piece of the rebuild.
But while the admiration for Díaz remains strong, the reality is complex. Liverpool are not eager to part ways with one of their standout performers unless a major offer arrives — something Barcelona may struggle to finance given their delicate Financial Fair Play (FFP) situation and existing wage structure. This financial tension forces Barça to keep alternative targets in play.
Fabrizio also revealed that Marcus Rashford is not only on the club’s shortlist but has been since January. This isn’t a new interest; it’s a case of long-term monitoring. More intriguingly, Rashford himself is reportedly enthusiastic about the idea of joining Barcelona. After a frustrating and inconsistent season with Manchester United, he’s open to a fresh start — especially at a club with history, style, and ambition like Barça.
Rashford views this Barça project — with emerging stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and the guidance of Flick — as an attractive platform to revive his form and reputation. According to Romano, Rashford is essentially waiting — he would prefer Barcelona over other potential suitors, but the ball is in Barça’s court.
Strategic Implications:
- If Barça manage to offload fringe players or bring in capital (via sponsorships or player sales), either Díaz or Rashford could become realistic targets.
- Between the two, Rashford may be the more attainable option, especially if United are open to negotiations and the player himself is pushing for the move.
- Flick’s system could suit Rashford well: vertical play, aggressive pressing, and positional fluidity on the left or as a second striker.
Bottom line:
Barcelona are actively reshaping their frontline. While Luis Díaz remains a top-tier target admired by Deco and Flick, Marcus Rashford’s openness to a transfer and Barça’s financial realities could tilt the decision in his favor. The coming weeks will be pivotal, especially if Barcelona can generate funds or leverage player swaps to make a deal happen.
