Barcelona's Summer Transfer Dilemma: Savinho vs Rashford
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has reportedly instructed the club to pursue Manchester City winger Savinho as a summer transfer target, potentially overlooking the option to make Marcus Rashford's loan move from Manchester United permanent. This development creates significant uncertainty around Rashford's long-term future at the Camp Nou.
Rashford's Impressive Loan Spell Faces Uncertainty
Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan from Manchester United ahead of the 2025/26 season and has delivered impressive performances, contributing 10 goals and 13 assists across 34 appearances. Despite this productive output, his playing time has become increasingly limited with the presence of established wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the squad.
The situation became particularly evident during Barcelona's recent La Liga encounter against Levante, where Flick chose not to bring the 28-year-old English forward off the bench despite having the game firmly under control. Barcelona hold a £26 million purchase option in Rashford's loan agreement, but club officials appear to be exploring alternative market opportunities instead.
Savinho Emerges as Flick's Preferred Target
According to Spanish publication El Nacional, Hansi Flick has identified Manchester City's Brazilian winger Savinho as a potential "market opportunity" for Barcelona. The 21-year-old has struggled for consistent playing time at the Etihad Stadium this season, featuring for just 535 minutes of Premier League action due to injuries and intense competition for positions.
Flick is said to admire several attributes that Savinho brings to the pitch and believes the young Brazilian would flourish in Spanish football. With Savinho valued at approximately £40 million, Barcelona's technical staff reportedly view him as potentially offering greater long-term value than Rashford, despite the Englishman's proven track record this season.
Rashford's Potential Return to Manchester United
Should Barcelona ultimately pursue Savinho or another winger instead of activating Rashford's purchase clause, the forward would likely return to Manchester United this summer. Interim head coach Michael Carrick has expressed interest in reintegrating Rashford should he secure the permanent managerial position at Old Trafford.
"It's difficult for me to comment really," Carrick stated recently regarding Rashford's situation. "I think the fact he's come through the academy and had such a big impact here is a positive, and as a club, he's had some really big moments and good moments."
Carrick added: "Football throws up certain things, and obviously certain players. You can't stay here forever, and things happen, that's how it is."
Broader Context at Both Clubs
The transfer speculation comes during a period of transition for both clubs. At Manchester United, Carrick has enjoyed an excellent beginning to his interim managerial tenure following Ruben Amorim's departure in early January, though there remains uncertainty about who will permanently lead the club next season.
Names including Diego Simeone, Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique, and Zinedine Zidane have all been suggested as potential candidates for the permanent managerial role. Rashford's final appearance under Amorim came in December 2024 before his loan move to Barcelona, with the Portuguese manager having also sidelined several other United players including Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
Meanwhile, Savinho's situation at Manchester City has attracted attention from multiple clubs, with Tottenham Hotspur demonstrating significant interest in the Brazilian last summer. The player himself is believed to be eager for a transfer to secure more consistent playing time, particularly with World Cup considerations in mind.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Barcelona's decision between pursuing Savinho or making Rashford's move permanent will significantly impact both clubs' attacking options for the 2026/27 season.
