Barcelona has a shortlist of three names to strengthen their wings, according to the Spanish media. Luis Díaz from Liverpool tops the list, followed by Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao in second place, and Marcus Rashford from Manchester United as the third option. However, Barça encounters a different hurdle at every door.
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Barcelona are intensifying their search for a new winger ahead of the 2025/26 season. With Hansi Flick now at the helm and Deco continuing to lead the club's sporting project, there’s a clear recognition that the flanks need immediate reinforcement.
Last season, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha were crucial, often carrying the attacking load on their shoulders. However, beyond those two, the squad lacked proper alternatives. Ansu Fati, once hailed as a future star, is no longer trusted by the technical staff. Ferran Torres, although still valued for his work rate and versatility, was mainly used as a centre-forward, another position that’s short on backup. In various matches, midfielders such as Dani Olmo, Gavi, and Fermín López had to fill in as wide players solutions that were improvised at best and not sustainable at the elite level.
Faced with this lack of depth, Barcelona have drawn up a shortlist of three names to strengthen their options on the wings. Each of these targets brings a different skill set and background, but all three come with financial and strategic complications. The club’s top priority is Luis Díaz. The Colombian winger is admired by Deco, who has made no secret of his appreciation for the Liverpool player. Díaz is known for his pace, technical ability, and direct style of play qualities that could bring much-needed balance to Barça’s attack. However, Liverpool have rejected the first approach, insisting the 28-year-old is not for sale. Behind closed doors, though, it's believed that a bid of around 80 to 95 million euros could convince them otherwise. That figure is simply out of reach for Barcelona under the current financial restrictions. Deco has reportedly set an internal cap at 60 million euros, and the club has even asked Díaz to help by applying pressure on Liverpool to consider a lower fee. On the positive side, Díaz’s salary is relatively modest just 3.5 million euros per year which makes him more accessible in terms of wage structure. Moreover, the player has hinted that he is already in talks with other clubs, suggesting he’s open to a move this summer.
If Díaz proves unattainable, the next name on the list is Nico Williams. The 22-year-old from Athletic Club is another long-time target. Last summer, the deal fell apart due to the player’s high wage demands, which were considered disproportionate to his experience. Now, however, the scenario appears to have changed. Reports in Spain suggest that Williams is willing to accept a significantly lower salary than the one he could earn at other clubs such as Arsenal, who have offered around nine million euros per season, and Bayern Munich, who have also made inquiries. From a transfer fee perspective, the operation is clearer. Williams has a release clause set at 58 million euros, but Bilbao insist that it be paid in one lump sum. Barcelona, whose financial strategy revolves around spreading payments over time, are trying to convince the player to negotiate with his club and push for a more flexible structure. The difficulty is that other suitors, particularly Arsenal and Bayern, are in a position to trigger the clause immediately. Time is not on Barça’s side.
The third option, considered a wildcard, is Marcus Rashford. After a mixed spell at Manchester United and a relatively positive loan stint at Aston Villa, the 27-year-old is now available on the market. United have set his price between 40 and 45 million euros and are looking to complete a permanent sale this summer. Barcelona, however, are not in a position to commit to an upfront purchase of that size. Instead, they are proposing a one-year loan deal with an option to buy an approach that would give the club more time to evaluate Rashford’s fit in Flick’s system without putting immediate strain on the finances. As with Díaz and Williams, Barcelona are hoping the player himself can play a role in convincing his current club. Rashford, for his part, is reportedly willing to accept a significant pay cut to make the move happen, seeing it as a fresh start and an opportunity to rediscover his best form at a club competing regularly for titles.
What’s clear in all three cases is that Barcelona are walking a tightrope between ambition and economic reality. The club is determined not to repeat past mistakes that led to unsustainable spending. Instead, their current approach relies heavily on negotiation, player cooperation, and financial discipline. Whether it’s Díaz’s star power, Williams’ youth and upside, or Rashford’s potential redemption arc, the key to any of these signings lies in Barcelona’s ability to find creative solutions that meet La Liga’s strict financial controls. The coming weeks will be crucial, and while none of the three deals is easy, all remain open. The outcome may well define not only the strength of next season’s squad but also the success of Flick’s first year in charge.
