BARCELONA BOSS FLICK PLANS BOLD NEW POSITION FOR RASHFORD
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick plans a major tactical shift, with reports indicating Marcus Rashford will be trialled as the new central striker following recent poor results against Sevilla and PSG.
According to reports, Marcus Rashford will play a significant new role at Barcelona as Hansi Flick looks to implement a tactical shift following losses to Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain. From Premier League exile to Barcelona's next big hope, the English forward was once written off and loaned out of Manchester United. His career appeared to be in ruins after Ruben Amorim dumped him and sent him fleeing to Aston Villa in January. But after a few months, everything has changed due to a new supervisor and a renewed feeling of purpose.
Flick's strategy for Rashford following the two catastrophes
Mundo Deportivo claims that the German coach has been analysing every aspect of his team's performance over the international break because he is incensed about their lack of pushing and intensity. The strength and accuracy of the French champions intimidated Barca against PSG. In contrast, they were just outworked by Sevilla. Reimagining Rashford as Barcelona's centre-forward is his audacious solution.
Rashford leads the assault in Flick's plan, with Raphinha to the left, Lamine Yamal to the right, and Fermín Lopez to the rear. However, all three of them have been recovering from injuries, and when the new method is implemented will depend on how well they are. The manager is already considering Barcelona's upcoming games as a trial run. First up might be Girona at Montjuic on October 18, followed by a pivotal Champions League matchup with Olympiacos on the 21st. The main test, El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, will take place a week later, if everything goes according to plan.
Rashford's opportunity to contribute as a No. 9
It has long been Flick's intention to deploy Rashford as a No. 9. Rashford seemed like a man reborn during preseason, scoring in a 5-0 friendly thumping of Daegu FC and winning Flick over with his energy and mobility. He took Lewandowski's position in that game and was instructed to lead the line in the second half. Flick has been motivated to try new things again in the midst of the campaign because the forward did not let him down.
Flick stated, "He can play at No. 9 or No. 11." "We had to exercise caution with Ferran, so we made the change. We were interested in how he adjusted to the role.
Rashford has consistently stated that he scores the majority of his goals throughout his career by cutting inside onto his right foot from the left flank. Flick, on the other hand, sees a strong runner who can stretch the backline, press defenders, and finish calmly. The manager thinks that with Rashford up front, Barcelona can regain the fierce intensity that propelled them to a domestic treble the previous season, as their current lack of pushing has cost them dearly.
Deco makes a shocking transfer announcement about a new No. 9.
Additionally, the tactical change is in line with the club's overarching goals. Deco, the director of Sporting, has stated unequivocally that Barcelona would not pursue a well-known striker to take Robert Lewandowski's place. Lewandowski turned 37 this year and still has a contract with the team through 2026. Given the rumours that Barca is linked to Serhou Guirassy and Erling Haaland, Deco's position implies that Flick's new strategy is a long-term development rather than a temporary solution.
He stated, "We should not be fixated on signing a number nine." You might be able to get by without one. Now is not the time to discuss signings. Torres' Ferran can play as a nine. Without a player in the penalty area, PSG won the Champions League. While some players are good, discussing a "9" is a bit of a mistake.
The Polish icon is being gradually removed from a full-time position. This season, he has alternated starts with Torres. Flick is prepared to provide youth and speed to the front line while preserving his experience. Rashford, who mixes Premier League explosiveness with Champions League credentials, is the ideal match in this situation. He might succeed Lewandowski as the long-term heir if the experiment is successful.
THE CAMP NOU PLAN: BARCELONA PREFERS A SECOND LOAN FOR MARCUS RASHFORD
Barcelona aims for a new Marcus Rashford loan, but Manchester United demands a permanent $35 million deal this summer.
Barcelona is reportedly aiming to arrange a new loan deal to keep Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford at Camp Nou beyond this season. Rashford joined Barcelona last summer on a deal that includes an option to buy him permanently for about $35 million (£26 million). His performances of 10 goals and 13 assists in 38 games have impressed, and interest in continuing the partnership seems strong. However, club president Joan Laporta has recently indicated that a permanent deal is unlikely this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, this reluctance isn’t due to waning interest in Rashford but more about Barcelona wanting to delay paying the full transfer fee at the end of the current campaign.
Looking at United’s side, last summer, they felt pushed into a corner. Rashford was keen on moving to Barcelona, and United had already labelled his wages as unsustainable. This left them with minimal leverage and forced them to accept a purchase clause well below what Rashford’s market value might actually be. Since his rise in Catalonia, the $35 million price tag arguably represents a bargain.
Reports have since suggested that United won’t open further talks with Barcelona this year without the purchase clause being triggered. They’ve warned that if Barcelona doesn’t act, Rashford could be sold elsewhere to the highest bidder.
That said, the latest information indicates United might accept another loan, provided it includes an obligatory purchase clause. This would allow United to count on the transfer fee as part of their next season’s budget, similar to if the option were exercised now.
A key difference would be the timing of the payments. United hopes for a full payment this summer, but Barcelona seems keen to push this back. A potential new loan deal might involve a partial payment at the season’s end, with the rest due in 2027.
This approach would still frustrate United. They know Rashford could fetch more elsewhere, but his preference to stay at Barcelona narrows their options. His weekly wages, approximately $435,000 (£325,000), add pressure to move him on quickly. If Barcelona is the only club he’ll join, United may find themselves forced to accept similar terms as last summer.
On the broader front, United’s transfer plans add urgency. The club needs to reshape the squad, especially in central midfield, where Casemiro’s departure has left a significant gap. Some reports suggest United might spend up to $270 million (£200 million) just in that area, alongside other potential signings. So raising funds from player sales is crucial.
While one might think United would push for a full, permanent sale now to maximise income, modern transfers often involve flexible payment structures. Payment plans can stretch over several years, and clubs can record the fee as income upfront when a purchase obligation exists, even if the full sum isn’t received immediately. This means United could record the $35 million from Rashford’s transfer this summer even if Barcelona pays in instalments.
That said, United will still want some immediate cash to kick-start their transfer activity. Barcelona would likely need to front a substantial portion of the fee this summer to persuade United to finalise a deal. But the pressure to have all $35 million on hand right now isn’t as great as it may seem.
DISCOVER JOAN LAPORTA’S BOLD FIVE YEAR PLAN TO RESTORE BARCELONA’S GLOBAL DOMINANCE
Joan Laporta secures a fourth term as Barcelona president, promising a golden era ahead of the UCL clash with Newcastle.
The election fight had wrapped up, with Victor Font outmanoeuvred without much resistance. But for Joan Laporta, the real challenge is just getting started reviving Barcelona’s position atop European football.
This Wednesday, Newcastle comes to Camp Nou for the Champions League round of 16, the tie delicately balanced after a 1-1 draw in England last week. Eddie Howe’s side enters as underdogs but has shown they can pose a real threat, leaving Laporta’s hopes hanging in the air.
Laporta described the last five years as pulling Barcelona back from the brink, taking over a club drowning in debt. Now, the goal is to build on that shaky foundation and push the team beyond last season’s semi-final finish, the first in six years. If Barca can go one step further and win in Budapest, Laporta might not even be officially in charge yet.
His new term, actually his fourth overall and second consecutive, officially begins in July. Until then, interim president Rafa Yuste manages the day-to-day. Laporta expressed support, saying if Yuste lifts the Champions League trophy, it’ll be "wonderful".
Behind the scenes, though, it’s clear 63-year-old Laporta remains the driving force. On election day, he mingled with club legends and key figures past and present, including Sergio Busquets, who helped bring home three Champions League titles.
That last Barca European triumph dates back over ten years to the Messi era, when the club seemed untouchable. Letting Messi go just months after Laporta returned in 2021 was a tough blow, a rare blemish on his record. Delays returning to a partially renovated Camp Nou and registration missteps over Dani Olmo added to a rocky start.
Many worried when Laporta pulled the "palancas", those financial tools to raise cash by selling future TV rights and assets, fearing it might cripple the club long-term. Yet, at least for now, that high-risk move has helped. Laporta and sporting director Deco backed signings like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Kounde – moves aimed at restoring Barca’s elite status – and it seems to be paying off.
Their boldest call was hiring Hansi Flick, a bet on his style that has brought excitement and success. Barca clinched a domestic treble last season and reached the Champions League semi-finals, though it fell short against Inter Milan. Defensive frailties remain a concern, especially with Newcastle looking to exploit Barca’s high defensive line.
Still, on the bright side, Barca boasts young talents like winger Lamine Yamal and midfielder Pedri Gonzalez, arguably two of the best in the world at their positions.
After his win, Laporta confidently declared the coming five years would be “the best years of our lives", a bold statement considering he steered the club through Ronaldinho’s era, Messi’s rise, and Guardiola’s treble-winning team in 2009.
With Camp Nou reopening to nearly 63,000 fans and plans to expand to 105,000, Laporta believes the club’s financial health has improved enough to compete with wealthy Gulf-backed teams like Newcastle, now owned by Saudi interests.
“No one can stop us,” Laporta said, energised by victory. But given Barca’s mixed European fortunes over the last decade, doubts linger about whether they can overcome internal challenges.
Newcastle’s visit offers a chance to kick off Laporta’s new chapter with a statement win and push further into the Champions League quarter-finals. It’s an opportunity Barca can’t afford to miss.
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