FC Barcelona Coach Flick Gives Green Light To New Signing

FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has given the green light to a potential signing believed to be in a two-horse race to reinforce the left wing according to German reporter Florian Plettenburg, who cited anonymous sources when reporting the news on his popular X account.

“As revealed on July 6, the priority for FC Barcelona is Marcus Rashford. Barca want to try again for Rashford and are prepared to go all-in,” the Sky colloborator tweeted.

“A few weeks ago, Luis Diaz was priority number one, as reported, but Liverpool rejected the approach. Rashford is now the clear number one target. Talks are ongoing. The green light from Hansi Flick was already given days ago. The 27-year-old winger is set to leave Manchester United,” he added.

We’ve been here before with Flick and Rashford. Back in the January transfer window at the turn of 2024, Flick reportedly gave the green light to President Joan Laporta and Sporting Director Deco to obtain the former England international on loan, for the rest of what ended up being a domestic treble-winning campaign which also took in a run to the Champions League semifinals.

Once more, however, Barca’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues got in the way, and Rashford instead went to Aston Villa for a temporary assignment where he failed to convince the Birmingham club that it should buy him permanently.

Fast forward to the summer and we’re now in a different conext. Barca has just had Nico Williams throw egg in its face, after reportedly agreeing terms with the La Liga champion but then ditching it at the altar and signing a 10-year contract extension with Athletic Club.

Barca continues to need a left winger that could provide rest and relief to Raphinha when required, which means that a transfer shortlist currently contains Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Manchester United’s Rashford.

According to Plettenburg, though, Rashford pulled in front of his northwestern England rival some time ago.

Rashford is the cheaper option for FC Barcelona

With Diaz rated at a pretty unfordable €85 million, Rashford would be the cheapest option of the two and more attractive to a club like FC Barcelona which is still recovering from the economic crisis that almost obliterated it at the turn of the decade. In comparison, it is believed that the Mancunian can be obtained for something between €30-40 million.