Following Nico Williams’ contract renewal with Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona have swiftly adjusted their transfer plans, turning their sights to Luis Díaz and Marcus Rashford as primary targets for a top-tier winger.
Sources say Barça had been optimistic about signing Nico, but the winger’s decision to extend with Athletic—revealed unexpectedly via social media—forced an urgent rethink. The club is now prioritizing talks with representatives of both Díaz and Rashford to address their attacking needs.
However, landing Luis Díaz has become more complicated than weeks prior. Liverpool recently rejected a substantial bid from Bayern Munich for the Colombian forward, reaffirming he remains untouchable and not for sale under any circumstances.
This has pushed Barça to pivot toward Rashford, whom manager Julian Nagelsmann views as a "high-potential asset." The move for the Englishman is seen as the most feasible option due to multiple factors: Rashford has explicitly expressed his desire to join Barça, dispatching his brother to Barcelona to convey he "only wants to wear the Blaugrana shirt" and is willing to accept a loan move or reduce his wages to fit the club’s salary structure.
Manchester United, who value Rashford at around €40 million, are eager to offload the winger. New manager André Villas-Boas does not want Rashford involved in pre-season training, prompting United to seek a quick deal—even open to a loan with an option to buy structure to facilitate the transfer.
Rashford, 26, has entered the final year of his United contract and scored 17 goals across all competitions last season. Barça sees his pace and versatility as a direct solution to their offensive woes, while the player’s personal commitment to the move could expedite negotiations.
