Hansi Flick, Deco ignoring Marcus Rashford for a better option from Liverpool

Despite months of speculation linking Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, the Catalan giants have finally made their stance clear — and it’s not what the Manchester United forward would have hoped for. According to Javi Miguel of Diario AS, neither Deco nor new manager Hansi Flick view Rashford as a priority, with both shifting their attention to a significantly more attractive option: Liverpool’s Luis Díaz.

It’s a quiet but defining moment for Rashford’s career. Once considered one of the brightest talents in English football, the 26-year-old now finds himself unwanted by his own club and overlooked by the few elite sides that once flirted with his signature. Barcelona, long rumored to be the last high-profile destination where Rashford might rebuild his value, have opted out.

Rashford is running out of road

The collapse of the Barcelona link marks the latest in a series of rejections for Rashford. He underwhelmed in a half-season loan to Aston Villa, failing to impress enough to earn a permanent deal. And while he still earns top-tier wages, the performances at United over the past few seasons have made it nearly impossible to justify them.

Clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich aren’t even entertaining the idea. More attainable sides like Dortmund or Napoli are balking at the cost. In short, Rashford has priced himself out of his own market, and even clubs that could use a dynamic wide forward are moving in other directions.

Barcelona had been seen as one of the few clubs left that might accommodate both Rashford’s ego and his need for a reset. But in reality, he was never more than a fallback option.

Barcelona have their sights set higher

Barcelona may still be in the midst of a financial balancing act, but they are not desperate, and they are certainly not reckless. The club wants to bring in a right-footed left winger to add depth behind Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Rashford would have technically fit that profile, but the inconsistency, lack of pressing intensity, and stagnating creativity made him a poor tactical match for Hansi Flick’s vision.

Instead, the club is going all-in for Luis Díaz, the Premier League title-winning winger who had a resurgence under Arne Slot at Liverpool. Díaz is the opposite of Rashford in many key ways: relentless work rate, elite ball-carrying ability, and reliable end product in big games. While Rashford disappears, Díaz imposes himself.

Diaz is also the type of player Flick values — dynamic, driven, and able to execute both attacking patterns and defensive transitions. He would bring immediate quality and fit in seamlessly on the left, where Barcelona missed out on Nico Williams due to registration issues.

Barcelona’s problem? Liverpool aren’t easy sellers

There’s one major obstacle: Liverpool don’t need to sell. Last summer, they entertained offers for Díaz, but wisely chose to keep him. That patience was rewarded with a title, and they will not be easily tempted now — especially with Slot viewing Díaz as essential.

Still, this is the kind of dream signing Barcelona will do everything to explore. He’s worth the effort. And that, more than anything, underlines where Rashford stands.

Barcelona don’t just need a name. They need reliability. And Marcus Rashford, right now, is anything but.