Marcus Rashford's signing by FC Barcelona is already finalized and has caused an immediate effect on the squad. Although the official presentation hasn't taken place yet, the English forward will be a blaugrana player this season. His arrival has already triggered the first internal departures from Hansi Flick's team.
Since the agreement with Manchester United was confirmed, the coaching staff and the sporting management analyzed how it would affect the balance of the attack. Rashford's profile fits what was sought: speed, goals, versatility, and international experience. But for one to come in, another has to leave.
The first casualty already has a name and surname. It's a footballer who was expected to have a leading role in the preseason. But with Rashford's arrival, he has been completely left out of the picture.
Fierce competition in attack
Hansi Flick doesn't want an overloaded squad in the attacking area. With Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Roony Bardghji already in the first-team dynamic, space is limited. Rashford's arrival only raises the bar.
The club has decided to act quickly and inform the affected player that he won't get any playing time. He isn't expected to be a regular substitute or an occasional impact player. His presence is considered unnecessary for the new project.
The message has been clear: he isn't going to play, and the best thing is to look for an immediate exit. Negotiations are already underway to finalize his transfer. The player has accepted the situation professionally, but he doesn't hide his disappointment.
A necessary departure
The club aims to bring in about €10 million (10 millones de euros) with his sale. This is a figure they consider reasonable given his qualities and his potential yet to be realized. Several LaLiga teams are interested, and Deco is already working to close the deal.
The departure also eases the wage bill and allows the club to keep room for other operations if necessary. This isn't a personal or technical decision, but a matter of sporting logic. Not everyone can have a place, and someone had to leave.
The footballer's entourage has already activated contacts to find a destination where he can get minutes. At 23 years old, he needs prominence and continuity to relaunch his career. In the current Barça, that's not possible.
The last to arrive pushes him out
Rashford, who arrives on loan with a purchase option, has been a direct bet by the coach. His profile is liked and is considered ideal to complement Lewandowski in the center of the attack. They're even considering using him on the left wing in certain tactical scenarios.
This has ended up closing any door to footballers who were fighting to make a place for themselves. The locker room has understood it as a top-level move that requires reducing the number of strikers. One of them has been automatically left out of the plan.
There hasn't been any discussion, nor a chance to fight for the spot. The decision was made as soon as the signing was finalized. The new Barça doesn't have a place for him.
Many thought he would get minutes this summer and that the preseason could be his definitive opportunity. He came from shining in the reserve team and was once a personal bet by the club. But his adaptation to the first team hasn't been the desired one.
Rashford's signing has been the final blow. His cycle at Camp Nou will end before it can truly begin. The player leaving Barça after the Englishman's arrival... is Pau Víctor.