FC Barcelona has put an end to a period of uncertainty that had dominated recent transfer discussions. Unable to match Bayern Munich’s financial offer for Luis Díaz, who had garnered significant interest from the Catalan club, Barça decided to step away from the race and turn its attention to a new target: Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United forward.
Barcelona had set a maximum transfer budget of €60 million, which fell short of Bayern’s €67 million offer for the Colombian. Faced with this situation, the club opted for a quicker and more affordable solution: finalizing a loan deal for Rashford, a high-quality player who is not in United’s current plans and who agreed to a 25% salary cut to facilitate his arrival.
According to Catalan media, the deal is practically done, and Rashford is expected to fly to the Catalan city “in the coming hours” to join the preseason squad and take part in Barça’s Asian tour. The agreement includes a purchase option estimated between €30 and €35 million, with clauses similar to previous negotiations conducted by the club.
Prominent figures such as Gary Lineker have already expressed their support for Rashford, encouraging him to succeed at Camp Nou, where he’ll also face the challenge of proving his worth in a forward line already filled with talent.
Why did Barça ultimately walk away from signing Luis Díaz?
Because the financial gap was insurmountable: Bayern offered €67 million for Díaz, while Barcelona was unwilling to go beyond €60 million. As a result, the club saw the Rashford deal, a loan with a purchase option, as a more effective and secure move.
With this decision, Barça closes a chapter of uncertainty and makes a strategic move in the transfer market: Rashford arrives, the budget remains balanced, and Bayern appears set to land Luis Díaz.