Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has opened up on why the La Liga champions let Marcus Rashford walk away this summer in favour of signing Anthony Gordon instead.
Rashford spent last season on loan at the Camp Nou and was a key part of Barcelona’s double-winning campaign, netting 14 goals as the club lifted both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Despite that, Barcelona chose not to trigger the £30.3 million (€35m) clause that would have made his move permanent.
Speaking to the BBC, Deco made clear the decision wasn’t about Rashford falling short, it was about fit.
“We are extremely grateful to Rashford,” he said. “He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony’s. His style fits with what the coach is looking for.”
Behind the switch was a specific problem Barcelona felt they needed to solve: what happens to the team’s energy levels when Raphinha isn’t on the pitch. Deco said Gordon was identified as the answer.
“When Raphinha wasn’t on the pitch, the team lost energy, and with him we could solve it,” he explained. “In the case of Gordon, we saw that he was one of the figures we needed.”
The move didn’t come cheap. Gordon arrived from Newcastle United in a deal worth more than €80 million (£69.3m), making him one of Barcelona’s two marquee signings of the window alongside former Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
According to Deco, Gordon wasn’t the only name on Barcelona’s shortlist — but he became the clear priority once head coach Hansi Flick laid out exactly the kind of player he wanted.
“We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers,” Deco said. “Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted, and we worked on a deal from there.”
So far, the gamble looks to be paying off. Gordon has featured in five matches for his new club, chipping in with four assists, while Barcelona have made a perfect start to their league campaign with four wins from four, 17 goals scored and just two conceded.
As for Rashford, his temporary stay in Spain has come to an end. With Barcelona declining to make the move permanent, he’s back at Manchester United.