Could Barcelona still go back for Rashford? The answer may surprise you

Barcelona are going into the summer transfer window with their wallet open, and look set to throw down around $80 million on Anthony Gordon from Newcastle to use as one of their high-pressing forwards next season.

Hansi Flick appears convinced by the player, who will be making a galloping leap upwards in terms of expectations and pressure; Newcastle United may be a big club, but it is no Barcelona, and England is not like Spain.

If everything goes smoothly, Gordon will wear the blaugrana next season, but that could not be all for Barça as far as their business goes. Reports from England suggest that the Catalan club are keen on bringing back Marcus Rashford, again on loan.

Will Barcelona sign Rashford?

The Manchester United winger played for Barcelona last season, managing 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions in his first season abroad. While that is a solid return, reports suggested Barcelona were not keen on paying the $30 million clause to retain him permanently. That clause remains intact until June 15 and if it were down to him, he’d remain on Spain’s east coast.

Wanting him back on loan is something Barcelona could afford to do, but something that is entirely dependent on new first-team manager Michael Carrick and what he thinks, if anything, Rashford can bring to Manchester United next season in England.

And there is another player in the mix: Julián Álvarez. Reports suggest Barcelona are keen on the forward, who has previously made noises about leaving Atlético Madrid this summer. Any deal involving Julián would indeed surpass the $100 million mark, making Barcelona’s ability to buy Rashford outright more difficult.

Julián’s deal will also come before any potential Rashford agreement: the World Cup winner is Barcelona’s priority signing as a replacement for Lewandowski and the player is also said to be keen on the move, making personal terms, at least on paper, a straight-forward procedure.

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