Barcelona on Verge of Securing Marcus Rashford in Major Step Toward Life After Lewandowski
FC Barcelona has reportedly taken a major step forward in shaping the club’s future by reaching a verbal agreement to sign a prominent Premier League star — a deal confirmed by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, who used his famous phrase, “Here We Go,” to signal that the move is well underway. This development marks a pivotal moment in Barcelona’s long-term strategy to replace their veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract at the club is set to expire in 2026.
Although the player’s identity has not been officially revealed by the club or its representatives, multiple reliable sources strongly suggest that the individual in question is none other than Marcus Rashford of Manchester United. The 26-year-old English forward, who has endured a somewhat inconsistent spell at Old Trafford in recent seasons, has been on Barcelona’s radar for quite some time. His ability to play both as a central striker and on either wing makes him an ideal candidate to thrive under the tactics of new manager Hansi Flick, who prefers high-pressing, dynamic attackers.
Behind the scenes, Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have been working tirelessly to plan for the future — particularly in preparing for the eventual departure of Lewandowski, who is expected to move to Saudi Arabia once his contract concludes. Given the club’s ongoing financial challenges, their leadership has recognized the importance of acting proactively to avoid an expensive bidding war in the summer of 2026, which could potentially price them out of signing a top-tier striker if they waited.
Rashford’s current situation at Manchester United seems to have made this move possible. Reports indicate that he has grown disillusioned at the club and is open to a fresh start elsewhere. His hesitance to sign a contract extension with United has been interpreted by insiders as a sign that he is genuinely committed to joining Barcelona, and that he sees the Camp Nou as the ideal next chapter of his career.
While Rashford may not possess the same elite goal-scoring record as Lewandowski, he brings other valuable attributes to the table. His pace, tactical intelligence, relentless work rate, and positional versatility make him a great fit for Flick’s system. Moreover, Rashford is widely known for his strong public image and international recognition — qualities that would greatly benefit Barcelona’s commercial and global branding efforts. These factors have only strengthened the board’s interest in him.
With the verbal agreement now reportedly in place, Barcelona’s next step will be to finalize personal terms with Rashford and then begin formal negotiations with Manchester United. The deal will likely be structured creatively to ensure that it remains compliant with La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations, which continue to limit Barcelona’s financial flexibility.
Although Barcelona is still keeping a watchful eye on alternative targets — including Julián Álvarez (Manchester City), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP), and Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea) — it’s clear that Rashford’s eagerness to join gives the Catalan club a significant upper hand.
As a result, Barcelona fans can now look ahead to what promises to be an exciting and transformative summer transfer window in 2026. With the club strategically building a new attacking line, Marcus Rashford appears poised to be the face of Barcelona’s post-Lewandowski era, potentially leading the next generation of stars at the Cammp now.
