According to well-known transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona had successfully negotiated an agreement to sign Marcus Rashford during the January transfer window. However, the highly anticipated transfer ultimately fell through due to Ansu Fati’s decision not to leave the club at that time.
Even though Ansu Fati received multiple offers from other clubs — including Sevilla in Spain and Besiktas in Turkey — he ultimately made the personal choice to stay with Barcelona and continue competing for his place in the team’s starting lineup at Camp Nou. His refusal to depart effectively prevented Rashford’s transfer from going through, as Barcelona needed Fati’s exit to create room within the squad and financial flexibility for Rashford’s arrival.
As a result of the breakdown in negotiations, Marcus Rashford was unable to make his long-desired move to Barcelona. Instead, he ended up joining Aston Villa on a temporary loan deal. Despite this setback, Rashford reportedly still harbors a strong desire to eventually wear the Barcelona jersey, keeping hope alive for a possible transfer in the future.
Romano has also suggested that there remains a small but realistic possibility that the deal could be revisited during the upcoming summer transfer window. This scenario could become more feasible if Ansu Fati agrees to a permanent transfer to AS Monaco, a move that is currently being discussed and could help clear the way for Barcelona to reopen talks for Rashford.
At the same time, however, Barcelona’s primary focus appears to have shifted elsewhere. Luis Díaz, the highly talented winger from Liverpool, has now emerged as Barcelona’s top transfer target. The club views Díaz as a more realistic and strategically sound option to strengthen their attack. Nonetheless, his hefty transfer fee of €80 million poses a significant financial challenge that Barcelona must overcome if they hope to complete the signing.
