Barcelona line up alternatives as Marcus Rashford doubts grow

Barcelona continue to insist internally that Marcus Rashford remains their top target to back up Raphinha next season. But behind the scenes, uncertainty is beginning to creep in.

What once felt like a done deal in January, a $38 million move for the Manchester United forward no longer looks so certain. Club executives are now discussing the possibility of another loan instead of a permanent transfer, an option that is unlikely to sit well with United.

Rashford has a strong supporter in head coach Hansi Flick. Still, the German has now seen up close that the England international comes with clear limitations, particularly when it comes to consistency, intensity, and finishing.

Rashford fails to convince in key Atlético test

If the recent Champions League tie against Atlético Madrid was meant to be a defining audition, Rashford did not pass.

In the first leg, despite hitting the crossbar from a free kick, he failed to convert two or three clear one-on-one chances against goalkeeper Juan Musso. In the return leg, he was largely invisible, much like Robert Lewandowski. On the one occasion the ball fell to him in the box, he hesitated and squandered the opportunity badly.

Those performances have only fueled internal debate about whether Barcelona should fully commit.

Abde re-emerges as a serious option

If the Rashford deal falls through, sporting director Deco already has alternatives in mind. One familiar name is Abde Ezzalzouli.

The Moroccan winger has long been on Barcelona’s radar, and the club still holds a 20 percent sell-on clause from his move to Real Betis. However, the buy-back option previously negotiated has expired, meaning any deal would now require fresh talks with Betis.

Valued at around $35 million, Abde is enjoying a standout season with 10 goals and nine assists in 35 appearances. His all-around game has taken a noticeable leap, from defensive work rate to decision-making and end product.

He has also retained the fearless, street-style flair that made him stand out early in his career.

“If Xavi tells me to take players on, I take them on,” he once said after breaking into Barcelona’s first team, a mindset that still defines his game.

Schjelderup also on Barça’s radar

Another name under consideration is Andreas Schjelderup, a 19-year-old Norwegian winger Barcelona scouted closely during last season’s matchups with Benfica.

Valued at roughly $23.5 million, Schjelderup has posted eight goals and five assists this season. A right-footed player who operates from the left wing, he fits the same profile as Rashford and Abde.

Quick, elusive, and strong in one-on-one situations, he offers attacking unpredictability. The question for Barcelona is whether he represents a meaningful upgrade over in-house options like Jan Virgili, who has impressed on loan at Mallorca and shown he can handle the physical demands of senior soccer.

Both Schjelderup and Virgili are on the smaller side physically, which adds another layer to the evaluation.

Ansu Fati unlikely to factor into plans

One player who does not appear to be in Barcelona’s plans is Ansu Fati.

Currently on loan at Monaco, where he has nine goals but has not scored in the past two months, Fati is no longer viewed as part of Deco’s project. Barcelona are open to selling him, and Monaco are reportedly willing to make the move permanent.

For now, the message from the club remains clear. Rashford is still the preferred option.

But as doubts grow and alternatives gain traction, Deco is making sure Barcelona are prepared for every scenario. The final decision will depend not only on sporting considerations, but also on the club’s financial reality and the tools available to get a deal done.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.