New FC Barcelona signing Anthony Gordon and Raphinha are set for a direct battle for the left wing spot under Hansi Flick next season.
Barca shocked their fans and the football world last week when signing the former Newcastle United forward in an $81.7 million deal (€70 million) that could rise past $93 million (€80 million) through add-ons.
One of the first questions thrown up by the transfer was whether Gordon and Marcus Rashford can co-exist in the same squad.
They’re currently doing that in Thomas Tuchel’s England counterpart, and will try to impress the German for the starting spot during the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in the United States this month.
At club level, though, we have to wait and see what happens with Rashford. His loan expires on June 30, and already we’ve had reports on Barca trying to offer half of his $35 million (€30 million) buy option.
Where does Raphinha fit into this at Barcelona?
Yet not much as really been asked of Raphinha. He’s been Flick’s lock on the left wing, after having to adapt to the rise of Lamine Yamal which pushed him off the right under Xavi Hernandez.
Raphinha could possibly drift into the centre as a CAM, but that position is pretty stacked with Fermin Lopez – currently injured – and Dani Olmo the main candidates.
SPORT believes that Barca pursuing a number 9 puts Gordon and Raphinha into a direct battle.
With Robert Lewandowski’s contract expiring on June 30, Barca need an heir to the Pole, who goes down as a modern day club legend. Across four seasons, ‘Lewa’ won three La Liga titles and entered the institution’s top 10 all times scorers with a strike on the last day of the season against Valencia.
At the moment, Julian Alvarez is the top target. Sources in Argentina say that the World Cup winner has agreed a five-year contract with the player, but the Catalans will have to improve their $116 million (€100 million) offer formally made on the day Gordon was unveiled.
This attempted coup means that Gordon isn’t fancied as a central target man, and could instead challenge Raphinha on the left wing.
With the Brazilian starting to show signs of wear and tear at the age of 29, however, there may be minutes for everyone.
He missed a total of 112 days in 2025/2026, including both quarterfinal legs against Atletico Madrid, which many felt contributed to a painful elimination at the hands of Alvarez and Co. for Barcelona.
