While the club successfully landed Marcus Rashford, it also missed out on two high-profile targets: Víctor Gyökeres and Luis Díaz, both of whom were prioritized by Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.

Despite strong interest, negotiations for both players fell through, and now Barça watches from a distance as they join other European powerhouses.

Why Did the Luis Díaz Deal Collapse?

Luis Díaz was one of the club’s top targets during the summer. The Colombian winger was reportedly eager to join LaLiga, with sources close to the club stating he gave a green light to the move. However, Liverpool refused to enter negotiations.

Joan Laporta revealed that the Premier League club "completely blocked the deal" and demanded a fee that Barcelona simply could not afford under its current financial conditions.

“I appreciate that he wanted to come, but it was a complicated deal,” said Laporta.

Now, Díaz seems set to join another European giant. According to Fabrizio Romano, he is close to signing with Bayern Munich, who have moved quickly to finalize the transfer.

Where Did Víctor Gyökeres End Up?

Another key target was Víctor Gyökeres, who had a stellar season with Sporting CP. Barcelona viewed him as an ideal fit to reinforce the front line, but the Portuguese club demanded the full €100 million release clause, which made the deal unviable.

Barcelona quickly pulled out of the race, and on Wednesday, Arsenal officially announced Gyökeres as their new striker. The Swedish forward signed a long-term deal and joins a team with a clear project and title aspirations in the Premier League.

Was Marcus Rashford the Right Call?

After missing out on both Gyökeres and Díaz, Barcelona secured Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. He will wear the No. 14 shirt and is expected to lead the attack under Flick. While Laporta initially had other preferences, Deco had long backed Rashford as his top choice.

“He came in like a rock,” said Laporta, praising the forward's mentality.

The club now hopes Rashford’s experience, versatility, and drive will help anchor a revamped attacking unit and compensate for the missed opportunities. With preseason underway, all eyes will be on whether Rashford can deliver what Díaz and Gyökeres could not.