There are transfer decisions that make sense only in hindsight, and then there are ones where the club's own sporting director lays out the logic so plainly you wonder why anyone was surprised in the first place. Barcelona's choice to pass on making Marcus Rashford's loan permanent and instead spend north of 80 million euros on Anthony Gordon is firmly in the second category — at least according to the man who made it happen.

Deco, Barcelona's sporting director and former midfielder, spoke to Catalan radio station RAC1 on Thursday to address the summer's most discussed piece of transfer business at the Camp Nou. The club had the option of signing Rashford on a permanent deal for £30.3m at the conclusion of his 12-month loan, a fee that would look modest by modern standards. Rashford had, after all, chipped in 14 goals across all competitions as Barcelona won La Liga and the Copa del Rey. That is a decent enough return by most measures.

And yet Barcelona let him go. Rashford returned to Old Trafford, Hansi Flick's squad moved on, and Gordon arrived from Newcastle United with what felt like a childhood ambition finally realised — the forward had spoken publicly about dreaming of the move since he was, in his own words, "three years of age".

Deco was at pains to acknowledge Rashford's contribution before explaining the reasoning. "We are extremely grateful to Rashford," he said. "He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony's. His style fits with what the coach is looking for."

The crux of it, as Deco told it, was energy. Barcelona's coaches had noticed a pattern: when Raphinha was unavailable, the team lost a certain intensity down the flanks that proved difficult to replicate. Gordon, in Flick's estimation, was the man who could fill that void. "When Raphinha wasn't on the pitch, the team lost energy and with him we could solve it," Deco said.

The sporting director also acknowledged that landing a Premier League player of Gordon's calibre was no straightforward exercise. "Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible," he admitted, before adding that the winger's own desire to make the move happen gave Barcelona a decisive advantage. Gordon's push for the transfer, his willingness to put pressure on Newcastle to sanction the deal, was as important to the outcome as any tactical analysis Barcelona's analysts produced.

Gordon and Manchester City's Rodri were described by Deco as the two summer signings specifically brought in to address identifiable weaknesses. The early evidence suggests both are doing exactly that. Barcelona have won all four of their La Liga matches so far, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two. Gordon himself has made five appearances, contributing four assists — which is the sort of start that makes a fee of over £69m feel rather less alarming.

For Rashford, the situation is considerably less comfortable. Back at Old Trafford with his Manchester United future still unresolved, he finds himself the subject of warm words from his former temporary employers but no concrete path back to the football that seemed to reinvigorate him last season. Deco's comments are not unkind, but they do draw a fairly firm line. Barcelona wanted something specific, they identified who could provide it, and they moved quickly enough to get it done.

Gordon, meanwhile, is settling into life at one of the game's great clubs in a squad that has started the season at a sprint. The Toon Army will feel the loss for years to come, but on present evidence, the lad from Liverpool has landed exactly where he always hoped he would.

FAQs

Frequently asked

Why did Barcelona not sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
Barcelona sporting director Deco explained that while the club were grateful for Rashford's contribution during his loan — which included 14 goals in all competitions — they felt Anthony Gordon's style and intensity was a better fit for what manager Hansi Flick wanted from the squad.
How much did Barcelona pay for Anthony Gordon?
Barcelona signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in a deal worth more than 80 million euros, which is approximately £69.3 million.
How has Anthony Gordon started at Barcelona?
Gordon has made five appearances for Barcelona since joining and has already contributed four assists. The club have won all four of their La Liga fixtures so far, scoring 17 goals and conceding just two.