Barcelona want their attacking targets to take more ownership amid financial hurdles | OneFootball

It is no secret that Barcelona are desperate to sign a new attacker this summer, with three main targets identified.

The club have indeed been linked with moves for Nico Williams, Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford.

The Nico deal has gained a lot of traction in recent days, with the player reportedly desperate to join the Catalan camp. But the club are also serious about signing Diaz while Rashford is a fallback option.

However, Barcelona’s economic limitations appear to have stalled the club’s deal to sign either of these attackers.

Barcelona want their targets to take charge

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana are now waiting on the players themselves to take initiative if they genuinely want to wear the Barcelona shirt.

Diaz remains the top priority from a sporting perspective, but Liverpool are not willing to negotiate.

Luis Diaz must push harder for the Barcelona move (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Barça believe the Colombian must play an active role in influencing Liverpool’s stance, especially to enable a deal on favourable terms, ideally a transfer paid in instalments, which is vital given Barça’s current situation.

In Nico’s case, the problem is the €62 million release clause, which must be paid in full and up front. That alone makes the deal highly complicated.

For it to happen, the Athletic Club winger would need to reduce his salary expectations and work with his club to allow a more flexible payment plan – something Athletic Club are unlikely to entertain.

Meanwhile, Rashford has already shown interest in a winter move and may be open to a loan or a discounted fee. But he ranks behind Diaz and Nico in Barça’s preference list.

At this point, any target who makes a serious push to join, financially and diplomatically, could become the frontrunner. The ball, quite literally, is in their court.