Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has heaped praise on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, calling them “fantastic players” as speculation grows over a potential move for either winger.
Raphinha recently extended his contract with the Catalan club until 2028 after a strong season on the left flank, but Barcelona are reportedly seeking additional options for that position. Sporting director Deco earlier expressed admiration for the Premier League duo in a Spanish radio interview, a sentiment Flick echoed during a Saturday press conference.
“Normally I don’t comment on players who aren’t in my squad, but of course, they’re fantastic,” Flick said ahead of Barca’s final La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao. “I like them both, and we’ll see what happens.”
Rashford, who fell out of favor at United, spent the latter half of the season on loan at Aston Villa. Diaz remains a key player for Liverpool, but a potential transfer could cost Barcelona around €80 million ($91 million), a hefty fee for a club still dealing with financial constraints.
Barcelona’s financial struggles have persisted throughout the season, even requiring legal intervention to register players like Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. Meanwhile, Ansu Fati has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Monaco after making just six league appearances under Flick.
“Ansu’s future is his decision,” Flick said. “He has a contract. If he wants to talk, I’m open, but it’s his choice.”
Flick recently extended his contract with Barcelona through 2027, following a successful season that saw the club claim a domestic treble by winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Looking ahead, Flick acknowledged that next season could pose greater challenges. “We want to improve again. I know it won’t be easy, next season may be tougher but we have confidence. The staff and players must keep pushing to raise our level.”
AFP
Advertisement
