Barcelona’s summer plans took a hit recently when top target Nico Williams decided to stay at Athletic Bilbao instead of joining the Catalan club.
That one decision has now forced Barça to rethink everything and Marcus Rashford has suddenly re-emerged as a possible solution.
But how did it get to this point?
Nico Williams Says No to Barça
For weeks, Barcelona were fully focused on bringing in Nico Williams. They saw him as the perfect winger to balance out a frontline already stacked with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Fast, smart, great on the ball he seemed like the ideal fit.
Barça had hoped to activate his €58 million release clause, but things didn’t go according to plan.
Nico ended up signing a new long-term deal with Bilbao until 2035, and it came with a massive wage bump and a higher clause close to €90 million now.
He didn’t just decide to stay, he made it loud and clear. Nico showed how committed he is to Bilbao by helping unveil a big mural that read “WIN 2035.” And if anyone still had doubts, his brother Iñaki backed it up, saying, “Nico’s not like most players. He thinks about the future and sees the bigger picture.”
Inside Barça, the mood shifted quickly. They didn’t expect this. Some reports even claim the club believed the deal was close, but Nico started getting nervous about whether he’d actually be registered properly because of the Financial Fair Play restrictions Barcelona are still dealing with. That fear was enough to make him stay put.
So, Barcelona had to go back to the drawing board.
Plan B: Díaz and Rashford Enter the Picture
After losing out on Nico, the club immediately turned to Luis Díaz of Liverpool as their new top option.
Díaz is quick, hard-working, and experienced at the top level. His playing style fits exactly what new manager Hansi Flick wants on the wings.
According to multiple Spanish sources, Díaz is now Barcelona’s “Plan A.” Deco and Flick are both fans of the Colombian, and they’ve already given the green light to go for him. The problem? Money, again.
Liverpool have said they’re not in a hurry to sell, especially since they’re still mourning the recent tragic death of Diogo Jota, which has left a hole in their squad. But there’s a belief that an offer in the range of €80 million could be enough to get talks going.
Díaz himself recently said: “We’re still talking with the board. I feel good at Liverpool, but we’ll see.”
He hasn’t closed the door. He’s waiting. And so is Barcelona.
But in case that deal doesn’t happen, Marcus Rashford has quietly moved up the list as a possible Plan B.
Rashford: From Old Trafford Uncertainty to Camp Nou Hope?
Rashford’s time at Manchester United seems to be reaching its end. He’s fallen out of favor since the arrival of Ruben Amorim, who reportedly doesn’t see him as part of his plans.
Things turned even more sour after a clash earlier in the year, just before the winter window.
Now, the 27-year-old has made it clear—he wants out.
According to reports from journalist Ben Jacobs, Rashford is one of five players who’ve told the club they want to leave this summer. The others include Antony, Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia.
To help the process, United have even postponed their return to training for these players. The club’s giving those players some time to figure out what’s next, and if they want, they can still come in to use the gym or medical facilities.
And without making a big fuss about it, United have already handed Rashford’s famous No. 10 shirt to Matheus Cunha which pretty much shows they’ve already moved on.
Is Barcelona Really Interested, or Just Keeping Options Open?
Barcelona’s interest in Rashford isn’t new. The club has been tracking him for months, and his short loan spell at Aston Villa, where he managed 4 goals and 6 assists in 17 games, reminded everyone that the talent is still there he just needs the right setup.
Rashford is also reportedly very keen on joining Barça. He’s even open to a wage cut just to make the move happen.
From his side, this could be the big reset he’s been looking for. A new country, a new league, and a fresh start far from the noise at Old Trafford.
But here’s the honest truth: Rashford is not Barcelona’s first choice.
Club insiders say Luis Díaz is still the main target, and Rafael Leão from AC Milan is also being watched closely. Rashford sits behind them in the pecking order.
Barça are being cautious they know Rashford’s recent form hasn’t been great, and his wages, while negotiable, are still a concern.
If Díaz doesn’t work out, Rashford could be brought in but only under the right conditions. A loan deal or a cut-price transfer would be ideal.
The club’s giving those players a bit more time to figure out what’s next for them. If they want, they can still come in to use the gym or get treatment while things get sorted.
And just to make things even clearer, Rashford’s famous No. 10 shirt has already been handed to Matheus Cunha. That pretty much says it all United are ready to move on.
Barcelona’s Interest: Is It Genuine or Just a Backup Plan?
Here’s what to expect over the next couple of weeks: Barcelona will try everything to get Luis Díaz. He’s the player Flick wants. He fits the system, and he has the work ethic and flair that fits with Barcelona’s playing style.
If they manage to convince Liverpool or if Díaz pushes for the move it could happen quickly. But if that deal breaks down, and there’s no progress, Rashford becomes a real option.
He’s cheaper, he wants it and Manchester United are ready to let him go. The move wouldn’t take long to complete if both sides agree on numbers.
Meanwhile, United are going to be working hard on moving out the five players who want to leave. They’ve got a lot of shifting to do before the season starts. Rashford, Sancho, and the rest all need clarity, and the sooner, the better.
So right now, it’s all about waiting and watching. Barça want Díaz. Rashford is Plan B. But football moves fast and plans change.
The Real Talk: Where Things Really Stand
This is where Barcelona’s current reality hits them hard. They’ve still got a huge name and a massive following, but their transfer business can’t always reflect that.
The Financial Fair Play situation has them walking on eggshells. Even when the perfect player is available, they can’t always pull the trigger.
Luis Díaz is exactly the kind of signing that feels like a proper Barça move skilled, fast, a hard worker, someone who puts in just as much effort defensively as he does going forward. He’d be a big signing, no doubt, and one the fans would welcome with open arms.
Rashford on the other hand, feels like more of a gamble. There’s no question about his talent he’s had some great years at United. But lately, his form has been off, and he’s had more downs than ups.
A move to Barcelona might revive him, but it’s not the type of signing that screams “future project.” It feels more like a temporary fix.
Still, given the club’s financial state, a temporary fix might be all they can afford right now.
Rashford sees Barcelona as a dream move. It might not have been mutual at first, but it’s growing into a possibility simply because the alternatives are becoming more complicated and expensive.
From the fans' point of view, there’s a mix of hope and concern. Fans want new players, that’s for sure but they don’t want the club wasting money again. They’ve seen too many big signings fail, and they are fed up with it.
Whether it’s Díaz or Rashford, whoever gets the chance has to prove they are the right one for the team. No excuses this time.
For Rashford, if this move actually happens, it’s not just about changing clubs. It’s a fresh chance to step away from all the stress he has been under, clear his head, and show to both himself and to everyone watching that he can still play at the top level.
What to Watch For Next
Right now, everything depends on whether Barcelona can get their main target, Luis Díaz.
If they can’t, Rashford’s name is waiting right there, just beneath it on the list. Give it a few more days, maybe a couple of big decisions, and we’ll find out who Barcelona end up signing this summer.
Like always, it’s turning into a classic Barcelona transfer window plenty of twists, a bit of mess, and probably something happening right at the last minute. But in the end, what really matters is how the team plays when the season starts.
We’ll find out soon who ends up wearing the shirt.