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Barcelona transfer news latest as Deco addresses summer plans amid Marcus Rashford, Luis Diaz links

© Imago
Barcelona sporting director Deco addresses the club's summer plans amid links to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Liverpool's Luis Diaz.

Barcelona sporting director Deco has claimed that the club will first focus on the futures of the players currently at the team amid links to Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford and Liverpool forward Luis Diaz.

The Catalan side enjoyed a successful season in Spain, winning a domestic treble while also reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Barca's 2024-25 campaign was spearheaded by forwards Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha, with the latter two both candidates to win the Ballon d'Or.

The Spanish giants have been linked with attacking reinforcements, but sporting director Deco insisted that the club must look to secure the futures of players already at Camp Nou, telling BBC Sport: "We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we'll discuss players to come.

"Of course, these two players [Diaz and Rashford], like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won't speak because it's not fair. But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don't need to bring many players."

Yamal recently signed a new long-term contract with the club, and considering he is just 17 years old, fans can look forward to his development knowing that the best is yet to come.

Aston Villa forward Marcus Rashford during his side's FA Cup match against Preston North End, on March 30, 2025© Imago

Diaz or Rashford: Who should Barca target?

Diaz enjoyed arguably his best ever season in a Liverpool shirt, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists in 2024-25, but the natural winger was also utilised as a false nine.

The Colombian has predominantly played on the left of a front three, but his adaptation to a central position helped the Reds progress play, and his positional fluidity could be beneficial to Barca's dynamic frontline.

However, there is an argument that the 28-year-old has already peaked, as while he scored 13 goals in the league last term, he did not manage to score more than eight league goals in any of his previous three campaigns with the Merseysiders.

As for Rashford, he endured a mixed season in England given he was sent out on loan from Manchester United to Aston Villa after falling out with Ruben Amorim.

In 10 top-flight games with Villa, the 27-year-old scored two goals and provided two assists, and perhaps signing him off the back of his performances in 2024-25 would be risky.

It should be noted that Rashford netted 22 goals in 2019-20 and 30 goals in 2022-23, and his history of contributing heavily in the final third could make his signing more appealing than Diaz, who less of a track record of consistent production at Anfield.

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Written by
Lewis Nolan

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Manchester United duo Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho on August 10, 2024
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