Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Barcelona has shown he might have some gas left in the tank to get back to his attacking form. With Lewandowski confirming he's leaving, should the Catalans sign Rashford on a permanent or is there better options for the high wage packet and €30 million fee?
Why Rashford staying makes sense?
From a purely footballing perspective, keeping Rashford at Camp Nou feels like a no-brainer. How do you say no to a player who registered 14 goals and 14 assists across all competitions last season? Even though he was in and out of the lineup, his direct play and ability to make moments showed he can perform in a winning team.
He reportedly prefers a permanent move to Barcelona and has ignored to all other summer offers while he waits for the Catalan club to make their move.
The Englishman might have to be happy with not spending all the time in the starting lineup and be a super sub for some games instead.
Anthony Gordon's Arrival Changes Everything
This is where the argument takes a massive 180-degree turn. Barcelona should not be spending massive money on a player who does not solve their biggest attacking need, especially after the arrival of Anthony Gordon.
Gordon occupies the exact same spaces as Rashford, operates from the left, and arguably offers much more out of possession than the Manchester United forward.
Simply put, Gordon is a much more natural stylistic fit for Flick's intense tactical setup. So why get the Man United man unless you trust him to play as a number 9.
Is Rashford Worth the Investment?
At €30 million, Rashford isn't absurdly expensive in today’s inflated market. However, his wage demands will not be cheap.
When you look at a frontline that already has Raphinha, Gordon, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres, investing heavy wages into another wide player doesn't make total sense. The money needed for Rashford could be used to strengthen in places that are more empty.
If the Catalan club are going to do this deal, it has to be entirely on their own terms. That means Manchester United lowering the asking price, agreeing to another loan, or Rashford accepting a reduced wage and a different role.
The No. 9 Should Come First
This summer, Barca need to be smart with who they bring in. Rashford is undeniably talented and can add serious value to any squad in Europe.
But with Robert Lewandowski departing and leaving a massive void at the top of the pitch, the mission is clear. Rashford helps the existing attack, but he does not complete it. The No. 9 must come first.
