Barcelona are not completely turning their back on Marcus Rashford, and that is the right move. The Blaugrana have an interesting summer ahead as they assess where they need to improve after their second successive LaLiga title.
Barca will be pleased with how the season went overall, but not only do they need to ensure they stay ahead of Real Madrid, but they know they need to step things up if they want to challenge the likes of PSG, Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Rashford dilemma
Barca have already decided to pass up on the €30million option to buy they held in Rashford's loan deal despite the fact he scored 14 and assisted as many in what was a fine season from the Englishman.
That decision is, in part, down to the signing of Anthony Gordon, but it is not the only factor. According to Diario AS, Barca are concentrating all of their efforts on signing a new striker to replace Robert Lewandowski, and they are not thinking about anything else.
The Blaugrana know it could be a costly operation to sign a striker, and so the Rashford deal must wait, even if it gives Manchester United the power to ask for more money. That is not likely to be the case, given the Old Trafford club want to move on from Rashford, but there is a chance other clubs could snap him up first.
Barca are said to be okay with that, but the report adds that they have not decided not to sign Rashford yet, and there is a chance they could return for him later in the window. It's just not a priority currently, and it doesn't need to be, given the forward is going to have his phone off - metaphorically speaking - during the World Cup.
But it's an option that remains open, and it should. While Barca now have more depth out wide with Gordon, Rashford is now tried and tested at LaLiga level, and eeven if he is not a starter, he would be a very useful option to have around at €30million. And let's not forget, he can also play as an out-and-out striker, which is going to be very valuable when signing a new striker because you never know if a new striker is going to hit the ground running.
From that perspective, it is absolutely an option Barca should keep on the table, and the World Cup will help keep the option open while they try to source a top-class frontman.
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