Barcelona’s preliminary presidential candidate, Xavier Vilajoana, has suggested the Catalan giants should consider bringing back Jan Virgili before making any final decision on a permanent transfer for Marcus Rashford this summer. Rashford’s loan deal includes a £26 million purchase option for Barcelona; however, they also have a buyback clause allowing them to reacquire Virgili a year after his sale to Mallorca.
The teenage winger has contributed six assists in La Liga throughout his debut senior campaign. By contrast, Rashford has registered 10 goals and 13 assists, though he is nine years older than Virgili. Vilajoana, a former Barcelona executive who previously headed La Masia, raised Virgili’s name whilst addressing the prospect of making Rashford’s move permanent.
He told ESPN: « I am someone who believes you should always look in-house first, as I’ve always said, and then look outside depending on the characteristics of the players you have.
« For example, I want to give the example of Jan Virgili, who is currently playing for Mallorca. He’s a great winger. I would maybe look at [exercising the clause to re-sign him] as an option, for example, rather than paying the Rashford clause. »
« That said, it’s not just the president who arrives and makes the decision. The president arrives, puts things on the table, alternatives are considered, it’s discussed, and a decision is made. What I am clear on is that if [signing Rashford] is considered to be the best decision from a sporting point of view, the money will be there to make it happen. »
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Vilajoana represents one of four confirmed candidates in the presidential race ahead of the 15 March ballot. Joan Laporta seeks re-election, whilst Marc Ciria and Victor Font, who both contested the previous poll five years earlier, complete the field of challengers.
The club’s former director believes they are missing a striker and need a good centre-back. Vilajoana explained: « There is one. In fact, we’ve already made some contact, and I think he’s a player who would be a great fit, pending his contractual situation: it’s Harry Kane.
« Kane is a centre forward who would fit in perfectly with our style of play. He’s a striker who is capable of dropping back to link up with his teammates. He is also capable of playing as a pure No.9, a killer, a finisher.
« He is a player who brings mobility. He also performs well when teams sit deep. He would add a lot of value to Barcelona’s game. »
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