Barcelona keep partially owned 19-year-old La Liga winger as a stand-by option for Marcus Rashford – Report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are keeping Jan Virgili in the background as a possible alternative if the Marcus Rashford plan becomes too expensive or too complicated. It is not being presented as an active move yet, but the profile makes obvious sense from a Barca point of view.

According to SPORT, the 19-year-old winger has become a stand-by option for the club after a rapid rise in La Liga with Mallorca. His jump has been so sharp that what first looked like a bold promotion now feels more like the emergence of a serious top-flight attacker.

That rise matters because Virgili is not just another young wide player with good hype. He made an immediate impression after debuting at the Bernabeu, then became an important piece under Jagoba Arrasate thanks to his fearless style, ability to play on both flanks and habit of continuing to attack defenders even when things are not coming off right away.

Barcelona know him well, of course. He arrived from Nastic in the summer of 2024, took a major step under Juliano Belletti, and was then sold to Mallorca for around €4 million. Crucially, Barca kept 40 percent of a future sale and a matching right, which gives them a much stronger position than most other interested clubs.

That is why this story feels relevant even without formal movement. The report says there has still been no contact with either the player’s camp or Mallorca, but Jan has already made his feelings clear in the past by admitting it would be difficult to say no if Barcelona called.

From a Barca perspective, the economic angle is the real key. Rashford remains the priority idea, with a reported €30 million euro clause in the background, but the club do not want to spend heavily this summer because the bigger investment is expected to go on a centre-back and especially a No. 9.

That is where Virgili becomes interesting. Barca could realistically bring him back for around €12 to 15 million when their retained percentage is factored in, which makes him a much more manageable option in a market that is becoming increasingly inflated.

So while Rashford may still be the headline plan, Jan Virgili looks like the kind of clever secondary route Barcelona cannot ignore. He is younger, cheaper, already knows the club and would suit the style that Flick’s team plays.

It remains to be seen what Barcelona decide on the left-wing position and if at all they make a move to bring back Virgili in the summer.