Barcelona sporting director Deco has addressed recent reports linking Marcus Rashford with a potential move to the Catalan club.
Rumors have circulated suggesting that Rashford’s representatives met with Barcelona officials in Lisbon amid growing uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.
Deco was in Lisbon with the team for their Champions League clash against Benfica. Reports claim discussions took place regarding a possible loan move for Rashford, who has struggled for game time under new United boss Ruben Amorim.
The England international has been left out of the matchday squad for eight of the past nine games, fuelling speculation about his departure.
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Deco responds to Barcelona and Rashford transfer talk
Speaking before Barcelona’s thrilling 5-4 victory over Benfica, Deco stated that the club is currently focused on renewing contracts for their existing players.
This statement follows claims by journalist Toni Juanmarti that Rashford’s entourage held talks with the Catalans.
Deco said: “We have our priorities, and if we can renew the contracts of our current players and bring in reinforcements, it would be welcome.”
He highlighted that Barcelona’s immediate goal is to stabilize their current squad rather than prioritize new signings.
Despite speculation, Deco hinted that Rashford’s high wages, reportedly around £350,000 per week, could pose a financial challenge for the club. “The coach is happy with the squad we have, so any future decisions will come later,” he added.
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Flick praises Barcelona’s mentality after Benfica win
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with his team’s mentality following their dramatic comeback victory against Benfica in Lisbon.
Speaking after the match, Flick said: “It was a crazy game. The best thing was the mentality. This is football. I have never experienced a comeback like this before.”
Despite securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages, Flick told his players to keep their cool. “For us, now it’s important to focus on Valencia and then Atalanta. We don’t think about being calm. We want to beat Atalanta as well,” he said.
🚨 BREAKING: Marcus Rashford favors a move to Barcelona, according to @David_Ornstein pic.twitter.com/0JbJOJ0Ctv
— 433 (@433) January 21, 2025
Flick acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in avoiding mistakes, and stressed the importance of having more training time. He also defended goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny after his costly errors, saying: “What player doesn’t make mistakes? We all make them. We win and lose together.”
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