FC Barcelona might be on the verge of securing a significant financial boost with the imminent departure of Unai Hernández, the standout forward from Barça Atlètic, who is close to completing a transfer to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Reports suggest the deal could be worth €5-6 million, a sum that could prove crucial for bolstering the first team before the winter transfer window closes.

Unai Hernández: A Key Player for the Reserve Team
The 20-year-old striker has been one of the standout performers for Barça Atlètic this season, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 20 matches. Under the guidance of Albert Sánchez, Hernández has been a pivotal figure, rarely taking a break throughout the campaign. However, it now seems his time with the reserve side is coming to an end. He was notably absent from the squad for the recent match against Ourense, signaling that his transfer is imminent.

Hernández’s destination is set to be Al-Ittihad, a club already boasting stars like Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Fabinho. The young forward’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia is largely driven by the lucrative offer he received, one that Barcelona would struggle to match.

Could Rashford Be on His Way to Barcelona?
The sale of Unai Hernández could pave the way for Barcelona to strengthen their attacking options, with Marcus Rashford emerging as a potential target. The Manchester United forward would be a strategic addition for the Blaugrana, particularly through a six-month loan deal.

However, the biggest hurdle remains Rashford’s salary. The English international’s contract guarantees him €20 million gross per season, a figure far beyond Barcelona’s current financial capabilities. Even though Rashford is reportedly open to taking a pay cut, any deal would require Manchester United to cover a significant portion of his wages.

Furthermore, to accommodate Rashford’s arrival, Barcelona would need to free up salary space by offloading a first-team player. Without such a move, the deal would be almost impossible to finalize.

A Race Against Time in the Winter Market
With the winter transfer window nearing its end, Barcelona faces a race against time to make the most of their limited resources. While the sale of Unai Hernández offers a valuable financial boost, it may not be enough to guarantee Rashford’s arrival. Nevertheless, the prospect of an affordable loan deal and Rashford’s potential interest in leaving Old Trafford could be decisive factors.

For now, Unai Hernández’s future seems sealed, while the dream of seeing Marcus Rashford in Blaugrana colors hinges on several key pieces falling into place.