Barcelona
Jan Virgili: Mallorca Move, Barça Feelings and a Route Back to Camp Nou
Jan Virgili says he would struggle to refuse Barcelona if the club reopened the door to him. indeed.
Jan Virgili has emerged as a bright young winger for Mallorca after leaving Barcelona last summer, and he has made clear that a return to his boyhood club would be difficult to turn down.
“If Deco called, it would be hard saying no,” Virgili said when asked how he would respond to Barça’s sporting director. He added that wearing the Blaugrana shirt remains a long-term ambition. “Yes, of course,” Virgili said. “That was my dream and is my dream and I think it will always be my dream. I’ve been a Barça fan all my life and in the end, if one day the opportunity arrives, that Barça’s doors open up to me again, in the first team, I’d be delighted obviously.”
Virgili spent a year at La Masia and was part of the U-19 side that completed a treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Youth League. His performances carried him into regular appearances for Barça Atlètic in the opening months of 2025, but the B side’s relegation changed his prospects.
He trained with the first team under Hansi Flick at the start of preseason and had hoped to be included on the Asian tour. “When I started the preseason with the first team, I had the hope of going on the [Asian] tour,” he said. “At least to try to impress or having the chance to play with the first team, but it wasn’t to be.” With Mallorca’s offer arriving in the summer, Virgili opted for a new path. “These are things that happen and in the end, Mallorca’s offer arrived and I gambled for a change of path.
“Barça Atlètic got relegated and, even if being at Barça is a privilege, I think staying at [Barça B], more so at a lower division, Mallorca was a train I couldn’t let pass by. I always say you have to search for the path you want and if it’s outside of where you want it to be, you must follow the chosen path.”
Mallorca signed Virgili for $4 million (€3.5 million) last summer, with Barcelona retaining 50% of his rights and a right to match any future offer. The retained interest and matching right provide a clear mechanism that could facilitate a future return.
Separately, Barcelona and Marcus Rashford reportedly share a mutual desire to extend his loan beyond the initial year, but Manchester United are insisting on Barcelona triggering the $35 million (£26 million) buy-option. Joan Laporta has suggested an alternative is unlikely this summer, complicating any deal.
Barcelona
Rodri Attracts Interest From Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain as Future Remains Open
Rodri is drawing interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain while Real Madrid remain in the frame.
Rodri’s future has become a major talking point after Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain were both linked with the Manchester City midfielder in a new report.
The Spain international’s standing has only grown since the summer, when he said: “We’ll see after the World Cup.” He then backed that up with a Golden Ball-winning role as captain of Spain in North America, further strengthening his reputation as one of the game’s leading midfield controllers.
Manchester City are still keen to keep him and have an extension offer in place. Even so, Rodri is believed to be considering his options and may be waiting for a “dream” move to Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been looking for a successor to Toni Kroos, but their interest in the Madrid-born midfielder has taken time to develop.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Real Madrid had finally decided to explore a move. Now, according to RMC Sport, they could be forced into a wider fight for his signature.
The same report states that Paris Saint-Germain “have made initial contact” over a possible transfer. A deal for the former Atlético Madrid midfielder was not previously regarded as a priority, but is now viewed as an “opportunity” in the market.
Barcelona have also “entered the race,” with the La Liga champions said to have contacted Rodri’s representatives after Frenkie de Jong returned from the World Cup with torn knee ligaments.
City, for their part, want to keep the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner for as long as possible. RMC even claims they would prefer to lose Rodri on a free transfer in a year’s time rather than sell him this summer.
No formal club-to-club offer has been made yet, but the midfielder’s position is clear: the decision now sits with him. If he tells City he wants to leave, the club are unlikely to block him given his age, contract situation and years of service.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s Approach to the Julián Álvarez Saga: Genuine Contender or Strategic Posture?
Arsenal monitor the Julián Álvarez saga, ready to move should Barcelona step aside this summer. 2026
Arsenal remain a watching party in the Julián Álvarez transfer saga, keeping tabs while Barcelona lead the chase. Álvarez has signalled a preference for the Catalans, describing them as his “dream” destination and, during the World Cup, saying “it’s in everyone’s best interest for him to leave Atlético this summer.”
Atlético Madrid have resisted Barcelona’s advances, rejecting the opening bid, attacking the Catalans on social media and filing legal complaints against the La Liga champions. The club do not want to sell the striker in an ideal world. Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed their original offer remains on the table and reports indicate an improved bid could follow the World Cup, though Laporta cautioned their approach is not “unlimited”.
Should Barcelona withdraw, Arsenal could move from observer to primary suitor. The Gunners are reportedly monitoring developments closely and are prepared to capitalise on any shift in the market. That posture aligns with the club’s wider summer activity. Arsenal strengthened with Piero Hincapié and backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier so far. Leandro Trossard’s permanent exit to Beşiktaş has been completed, and Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis is linked as a possible replacement for the Belgian.
Other reported approaches remain unresolved. Interest in Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimarães has stalled, and there have been no fresh updates on Arsenal’s reported pursuit of Morgan Rogers or Bradley Barcola. Andrea Berta, Arsenal’s sporting director, previously held the same role at Atlético and was in post when Álvarez arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2024.
Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in over two decades and that success has shaped expectations of their summer business. Whether their link to Álvarez turns into a full-scale push depends on Barcelona’s actions and Atlético’s response. For now, Arsenal are combining patience with readiness, willing to spend to defend the title if the opportunity arises.
Barcelona
Rashford accepts World Cup focus as his club future remains unsettled
Rashford is focused on the World Cup as his club future with United and Barcelona remains uncertain.
Marcus Rashford has acknowledged frustration that the next step in his club career is unresolved, but he has been clear about his priorities while England remain at the World Cup. The Catalans opted for a pricier move for Anthony Gordon instead, which left Rashford to return to Manchester United for now. It remains unknown where he will play next season, though he is expected back in Manchester for preseason once England’s World Cup campaign and a mandatory three-week break are over.
“I live in the moment. I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup: I wanted it to be resolved before,” Rashford told reporters ahead of England’s next match against Mexico. “If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t deal with it until later. I want to be fully present in this moment [at the World Cup]. We are fighting for something very special, I don’t have the energy to dedicate to [thinking about club uncertainty].”
The Manchester United chapter is not closed. New manager Michael Carrick is not ruling out reintegration and the club is now very different to when the player fell abruptly out of favor with previous boss Ruben Amorim. Team-mate Harry Maguire says colleagues would welcome him back provided he wants to return.
Manchester United need reinforcements on the left side of attack and assigning Rashford that role could free funds for central midfield, where the club may require additional signings. From a United perspective a permanent sale would be preferable to another loan.
Rashford’s profile suits several clubs. In the Premier League, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are mentioned as fits. Abroad, Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain could be options if he accepts a role similar to his time at Barcelona, usually the first point of cover across the frontline.
Barcelona allowed a $34.33 million (£25.7 million) exclusive transfer clause to expire and could return later, apparently seeking $53.4 million (£40 million) in line with an apparent release clause. Last season Rashford produced 28 goals and assists in 49 appearances for Barcelona, a form that earned him an England recall and World Cup selection. He came off the bench to replace Gordon against Croatia and scored, then started against Panama and retained his place for the DR Congo match.
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