Barca chief confirms transfer interest in Reds and MU stars as priority clear

Barcelona sporting director Deco has explained the club's plans for the summer transfer window, with Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford of interest

Barcelona sporting director Deco has admitted that they are interested in both Liverpool winger Luis Diaz and Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford this summer. The summer transfer window is now just around the corner and Barca are weighing up moves for some high-profile targets.

Diaz has been strongly linked with a move to La Liga this summer, with Arne Slot keen to refresh his attack. Both Diaz and Darwin Nunez could be on the move once the window opens, with Barca keen on Diaz and Atletico Madrid eyeing Nunez.

Liverpool are yet to agree new terms with Diaz, whose current deal expires in June 2027, and Barca are lurking. Diaz’s father has previously said it would be a “dream” for his son to join the Catalan giants, although the winger has reaffirmed his happiness on Merseyside after winning the Premier League.

Rashford, meanwhile, is poised to make a permanent move away from Manchester United following a successful loan spell with Aston Villa. He is understood to prefer a move to Barcelona ahead of a transfer to Villa or another Premier League rival.

It seems he could get his wish, given Deco’s comments. "We like Luis, we like Rashford, and we like other players," Deco told Catalan radio station RAC 1. "Out of respect, talking about players who are under contract with other clubs is complicated. When we go to the market, there are names we know that could improve the team."

Barca announced a new contract until June 2028 for Raphinha on Thursday after a stunning campaign has seen him contribute 34 goals and 25 assists in 56 games. And securing their other key players remains the first priority for Hansi Flick’s side.

"If we can keep the core of the team together, that's what we want," Deco said. "I think we can do it. I think you can always improve the team, but you have to understand what kind of player you need. We've focused first on what we have at home and renewals.

"The renewals of Raphinha, [Frenkie] De Jong, and Eric [Garcia] will come, for sure. That's the priority. We'll talk about improving the team if we can, but the key is stability. We don't believe that players will ask to leave."

Barca are keen to reinforce their squad, though, with Robert Lewandowski heading into the final year of his contract. Luckily, they have a generational talent on their books in the form of Lamine Yamal, who Deco says has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Unsurprisingly, Barca would never consider selling. Instead they are plotting a new contract.

"Lamine has not asked for anything because we don't speak to players but to agents," he said. "That's not his priority. I think a player has to have a contract that is fair, that corresponds to his value and I think that's what we're going to do.

“You have to adapt Lamine's contract to his reality. He has to be the most important player among the most important players we have. He surely has other things that the others don't have."