Barcelona sporting director Deco has detailed the club's decision to pursue and sign winger Anthony Gordon for a reported £70 million this summer, a move that ultimately led to Marcus Rashford returning to Manchester United.
Deco explained that Gordon was identified as the 'best fit' to address a perceived lack of 'energy' in Barcelona's squad last season, particularly when winger Raphinha was unavailable. "One of the things we saw that was difficult last year was the fact that, when we were without Raphinha, the team's energy seemed to drop," Deco told Marca.
The club considered multiple wingers, but Deco noted the significant financial demands of acquiring players from the Premier League. "We looked at many wingers, but signing players in the Premier League is almost impossible, you see the figures involved," he stated. Gordon, who recently participated in the World Cup with England, has made a strong start in Spain, registering five assists in his first four LaLiga appearances.
Barcelona had the option to sign Marcus Rashford permanently for £26 million after his loan spell last season, but opted against it. Rashford has since returned to Manchester United's starting lineup under manager Michael Carrick, featuring in their recent victories over Ipswich and a draw against Everton.
Gordon's arrival was part of an extensive summer spending spree by Barcelona, which saw the additions of high-profile players such as Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, and Karim Adeyemi. This investment appears to be yielding results, as Barcelona currently leads LaLiga with four wins from four matches and secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League opener.
Deco also addressed Barcelona's unsuccessful pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. "We sent them an offer, but there was no response," Deco said. "There's been more talk in the press than reality." He emphasized that the club acted appropriately in their dealings.
Barcelona will next face Levante away in LaLiga on Sunday, while Manchester United are set to play Azerbaijan's Sabah in the Europa League on Thursday night.