Marcus Rashford set to be 1st Englishman at Barcelona since Gary Lineker – Where will he fit in?

Competing with Raphinha 

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In one of the most intriguing moves of this summer transfer window, Marcus Rashford looks set to swap Old Trafford for the Camp Nou, with a loan deal to Barcelona edging closer to completion. The England international, once a symbol of Manchester United’s next generation, now finds himself seeking a fresh start in LaLiga after a somewhat turbulent season in the Premier League. He will become the first Englishman to play for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in the late 1980s. For Barca, it’s a calculated, if expensive, gamble on a forward with proven pedigree and untapped potential – while for Rashford, it’s a chance to rediscover form and confidence on one of European football’s greatest stages.

According to The Athletic, Barcelona are advancing with a move to sign Rashford on an initial loan deal, with an option to buy included. The proposed transfer would also see Barcelona covering Rashford’s full salary, which is thought to be around €350k-a-week, for the duration of the temporary switch. Barca manager Hansi Flick has reportedly approved the move, with the club’s priority having been to bring in someone capable of playing off the left, as well as up top. But with competition from the likes of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, where will Rashford fit in? And could this move revitalise his career? Transfermarkt takes a closer look at the circumstances behind the switch and what it could mean for both parties.

Where will Marcus Rashford fit in at Barcelona?

It would appear that Rashford was not Barcelona’s first-choice target this window. The club had agreed personal terms with Nico Williams before the Spain international opted instead to stay at Athletic Club and sign a new contract until 2035, while Liverpool knocked back an approach for Luis Díaz last month. Rashford himself has made it clear for sometime that Barca is his dream move at this stage of his career. So now his desired transfer is close to being completed, where will Rashford actually play for the LaLiga champions?

When asked about signing a new winger back in May, manager Flick said: “This is what we have talked about with the club. In the last matches maybe we did not have a lot of options in that position… so we have to bring more options to the team and more quality. This is the job for Deco, it’s clear, and I will support him.” Last season, Barcelona were one of the most intense teams in European football. An insanely high-line, mixed with high pressing and fast transitions meant durable fitness levels were required, and at times, players were ran into the ground. Even with a number of academy graduates making an impact on the first-team, the need for more depth was clear. Add to that, the fact that striker Lewandowski turns 37 years old in August.

We saw Brazilian Raphinha, who enjoyed his best ever season last term, operate mainly off the left-wing, but also through the middle on occasions. Raphinha playing centrally could potentially be something we see more of next season, which would pave the way for Rashford to play off the left. On the other hand, we could see Rashford himself line up as the focal point, or even see Rashford and Raphinha share and rotate that role. It’s expected that Lewandowski’s minutes will probably start to fall next season. There’s also the option that Raphinha plays as a no.10 behind the Polish striker and Rashford lines up on the left-wing. Rashford’s versatility will be key, and there will be numerous ways he can accumulate minutes for the Spanish giants this season in a pivotal campaign in his career.