Barcelona chief makes transfer claim amid Marcus Rashford dilemma

Barcelona have the option to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent basis at the end of this season for £26million, with the Manchester United star currently on a season-long loan

Barcelona sporting director Deco has revealed that the club aren't planning to make any new signings in January, suggesting their all of their 2026 business will be done next summer. Barca only made three first-team additions this year, including Marcus Rashford.

The La Liga champions signed Rashford, 28, on a season-long loan from Manchester United. During negotiations, Barcelona inserted an option to buy him permanently at the end of this season for €30million (£26m).

So far, the England international has encouraged Barca chiefs that he'll be worth it. Rashford has scored six goals and provided five assists in 15 appearances, most of which have come from the left wing.

But given their precarious financial predicament, the Catalan heavyweights intend to see out the season before making any decisions. That's why Deco currently has no plans for January.

Speaking at an event on Friday, as Barcelona held an open training session at the newly renovated - but still under construction - Camp Nou, Deco said: "If we are doing well and there are no surprises, I don't think it's necessary.

"We know exactly where we can improve and the difficulties we face. Last season, we also went through some difficult moments and we were able to overcome them," Deco added, with Hansi Flick's side having won just three of their last seven games since the start of October.

"When we lower the intensity, we suffer. We need to have the best players. There are no excuses, but when you can't make changes because of injuries and they affect our midfield. There are things to improve even when we win."

Flick thinks that Rashford can do even more to help Barca get into their stride this season, with the United loanee having scored in their 3-1 win at home to Elche last weekend. "When you see the chances he has, one or two goals more will be good, also for him," Flick explained.

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"But we can be happy with him, of course. I am very happy with him. He can play on this level and I am happy he shows it, for the fans and for the club, and also for the teammates he is a very important player."

Rashford will be hoping to add to his goal tally when Barca travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday. The 28-year-old has scored at Celta's stadium, the Estadio de Balaidos, before. Rashford netted a spectacular free-kick to give United a 1-0 victory in their Europa League semi-final first leg in 2017.