Barcelona have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to sign a Premier League star, confirmed by Fabrizio Romano’s famous “Here We Go” tag, marking a significant step in the club’s succession plan for Robert Lewandowski, whose contract expires in 2026.The player’s identity has not been officially disclosed, but several reports suggest that Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford is the primary name Barcelona have secured a commitment from. Rashford, who has struggled with consistency at Old Trafford, has been on Barça’s radar, especially given his flexibility to operate centrally or on the flanks — fitting perfectly into Hansi Flick’s pressing system.
Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have been relentless in planning for life after Lewandowski. With the Polish striker expected to exit for Saudi Arabia in 2026, Barcelona’s strategy has been to lock down his replacement early. The club’s financial constraints make such forward-planning essential, as a summer bidding war in 2026 could prove unaffordable.
Rashford’s situation at United — coupled with his openness to a fresh challenge — has paved the way for Barça. His reluctance to renew his current terms at the behest of Barcelona signals his commitment to making the Camp Nou his next destination.
While Rashford may not have the same goal-scoring record as Lewandowski, his pace, work ethic, and versatility are qualities Flick values highly. Additionally, Rashford’s commercial appeal aligns with Barça’s branding ambitions, which is another plus for the Laporta-led board.With this verbal agreement, Barcelona are expected to finalize personal terms and await negotiations with Manchester United, possibly structuring the deal to accommodate their delicate salary cap situation.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are still monitoring alternatives such as Julián Álvarez, Viktor Gyökeres, and Nicolas Jackson, but Rashford’s willingness to join gives them a clear advantage.The Blaugrana faithful can now anticipate a transformative summer window in 2026, with the club strategically positioning itself for a post-Lewandowski era — and Rashford potentially leading the next attacking line at the Camp NOU.
