Barcelona line up Marcus Rashford alternatives amid £26m transfer doubts
Barcelona have identified two alternative wingers as they weigh up whether to trigger the £26m permanent purchase option for Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.
The Catalan giants are eager to secure the England international on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell away from Old Trafford.
However, Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli and Mallorca prospect Jan Virgili are being monitored as contingency plans if the deal collapses.
The Spanish heavyweights still hold a 20 per cent stake in Ezzalzouli and retained half of Virgili’s economic rights after selling him for £3m last summer.
Financial constraints and squad roles
A permanent stay in Spain remains the most probable outcome for the United academy graduate, despite this renewed interest in the younger duo.
Reports in Spain suggest an agreement over wages is already in place, though conflicting sources claim personal terms are yet to be finalised.
The La Liga leaders must carefully balance their ongoing financial difficulties against a squad hierarchy where the 26-year-old is not guaranteed a regular starting berth.
With wide players Raphinha and Lamine Yamal currently preferred on the flanks when fully fit, the versatile attacker has frequently found himself utilised as an impact substitute.
Search for a central striker
Manager Hansi Flick also faces the pressing task of finding a long-term successor to veteran talisman Robert Lewandowski.
Allocating significant funds to a new centre-forward could heavily restrict the budget available to finalise a permanent deal for the English forward.
The loanee recently operated centrally during a Copa Del Rey semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, though the Catalan side were ultimately eliminated on aggregate.
Flick praises professional mindset
Despite accepting a diminished starting role in recent domestic fixtures, the player’s attitude has drawn immense praise from his head coach.
“I try to speak to every player when they are not selected and the last time I checked with him he replied to me, ‘Boss, you don’t have to tell me about your decisions.'”
Flick revealed that the forward prioritised the team’s broader success over his individual playing time.
“The most important thing is the team. We have to win the three points. The rest is not that important.”
The German tactician described this selfless response as the perfect mentality for a squad competing on multiple fronts.
“What I can say is that he is an absolutely professional player. In the beginning, he had to adapt a little bit, but now he is at his best level.”
