Barça is still working intensely in these last days of the winter market to close the loan of Marcus Rashford. Although Barça has trouble finding exits, the efforts to incorporate the English forward remain a priority to strengthen the attack.
However, despite the urgency to bring in Marcus Rashford to improve the attack, the club is clear that this operation is only a temporary solution. While Rashford is expected to arrive on loan, the true priority in the summer will be to sign a winger who becomes a key piece for the future.
The first on the list
For the next summer market, the favorite to cover that position is Rafa Leão, who is the dream signing for Joan Laporta. In this regard, the good relationship between Rafael Leão's agent, Jorge Mendes, and Barcelona's president could be a key advantage in negotiations for the Portuguese player.
This link with Jorge Mendes could allow Barça to negotiate a more reasonable price for the Portuguese player, whose market value is around 100 million. Despite the competition and Barça's difficult economic situation, Laporta remains hopeful that Leão could be a feasible addition next summer.
Nico Williams remains on Barça's agenda
If the operation for Leão doesn't materialize, Barça has other quality options on the agenda, and one of the main alternatives is Nico Williams. Nico's release clause, which amounts to 60 million, makes him an affordable option for the club, especially when compared to the prices of other similar players.
Although it is not clear if Barça will manage to make this signing in the summer, Nico's youth, quality, and potential make him an attractive option for the future. Additionally, his profile as a fast and skillful winger fits perfectly with what Flick and Deco are looking for to strengthen the attack.
Pep Guardiola doesn't count on him in the summer and it could be a good opportunity for Barça
Another option that could appear on Barça's radar is Jack Grealish. Grealish's situation in Guardiola's team has become complicated due to the competition in his position, with players like Savinho, Bernardo, Omar Marmoush, and Jeremy Doku ahead.
In this context, Guardiola would be willing to put Grealish on the market if an appropriate offer arises, which would open the door to a possible exit for the English player. However, despite Grealish being a player of indisputable quality, it seems unlikely that Barça will bet on him. Laporta and the sports management have Leão and Nico as the main options.