After Nico Williams' snub, Barça is looking for another winger

After rejecting Nico Williams, Barcelona wants to move on and focus on the search for another winger, which has always been the top priority in this transfer window. Both Deco and Hansi Flick's sporting and technical directors believe that Barça was overly dependent on Raphinha and Lamine Yamal last season. They agree that, when they are not there, the team's performance is much lower.

The aforementioned Ferran Torres, who has been converted into a center forward, and Pau Víctor, another number nine who could leave the club, were among the alternatives . There was also Ansu Fati, on loan to Monaco, who was barely part of Flick's plans. "Despite what happened with Nico, we have never stopped working on other options," the club's sporting department stated. These two options are: Liverpool's Colombian Luis Díaz and Marcus Rashford, the 27-year-old Manchester United forward who played on loan at Aston Villa last season. Both are interested in joining the Camp Nou.

With a price tag of 40 million, the most likely signing is Marcus Rashford, but the preferred option is Luis Díaz.

Luis Díaz, 28, has always been a favorite with Deco, both for his versatility—he can play in any of the three attacking positions—and for his experience at Liverpool, where he has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season.

However, his signing is complicated, especially by financial reasons. Díaz reached an agreement with Liverpool, with whom he still has a two-year contract, that would only allow him to leave if the acquiring club pays €82 million, a figure currently unaffordable for Barcelona. "It's financially complicated," club officials acknowledge. Furthermore, when the Nico Williams file was opened, some felt the Colombian didn't make a clear enough statement toward Barça.

Diogo was a key partner in my arrival in Liverpool.” Luis Díaz

Added to this is a tragic event that could be decisive: the death of Diogo Jota in a traffic accident in Zamora, one of Liverpool's star forwards. Within the club, some believe this could make Luis Díaz feel even more closely tied to the English team. From Barranquilla, the Colombian international gave an interview to WinSports television in which he remembered his teammate: "It's very hard to hear news like that. Diogo was a fundamental teammate when I arrived at Liverpool. His family welcomed me, he... we had a great friendship," revealed Luis Díaz. "I just want to wish his wife and children strength. It hurts a lot," he confessed.

The Colombian also spoke about his future, though without being categorical: "It's not known yet, we're talking with the board and other clubs. We're comfortable where I am, and we'll see," he noted, without ruling out a possible transfer. Barcelona will try, but first needs to activate its plan to register players and avoid further exits like the one involving Nico Williams. Any further withdrawals would be difficult for the club to manage.

Another option Rashford, without a place at Manchester United, wants to come to Barça

Given this scenario, the most feasible deal is the signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, whose price tag is 40 million euros. In this case, Barça prefers a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season. This deal has a more favorable context.

To begin with, Rashford is no longer in the plans of Manchester United, managed by Ruben Amorim. In fact, he no longer wears the number 10. His club will release him to give it to Matheus Cunha. Furthermore, Aston Villa, where he was loaned last season (playing 17 games and scoring 9 goals), did not exercise their 46 million euro purchase option. According to sources close to the player, Rashford's desire, despite having other options, is to wear the Barça shirt.