Who Loses Most If Anthony Gordon Seals His Stunning Move To Barcelona?

Barcelona have moved swiftly to land their first addition ahead of the 2026–27 campaign, with winger Anthony Gordon set to arrive at Camp Nou.

Speculation surrounding Barcelona's pursuit of the Englishman began in the spring, but a rapid operation on May 27 saw that interest crystallize into a deal with Newcastle United worth €80 million (£69.3 million, $93.2 million) plus bonuses, making Gordon their opening summer acquisition.

Bayern Munich and Liverpool were also said to be in the running for the England international, but Barcelona moved decisively to land the versatile winger — a profile Hansi Flick and his staff were intent on adding before the new campaign kicks off.

Given the transfer fee involved, Gordon is expected to be more than just quality depth — he is seen as a probable starter in Barcelona's attack in 2026–27. Unsurprisingly, the 25-year-old's arrival will have far-reaching implications for the rest of the squad.

With several players' roles now under threat, here are the biggest casualties of Gordon's move to Barcelona.

Marcus Rashford

Without doubt, the player hit hardest by Gordon's arrival is fellow England winger Marcus Rashford, who spent 2025–26 on loan at Barcelona and has expressed a strong desire to settle in Catalonia long-term.

A $35 million (€30 million, £26 million) purchase option was built into the loan agreement with Manchester United, and Barcelona had been weighing whether to activate it. Rashford delivered a productive season with the club, yet questions persist about his suitability within Flick's system — particularly his off-the-ball pressing, an area where Gordon excels.

While the fee Barcelona paid for Gordon is more than double what they would have spent on Rashford, the amortization of that cost through a long-term contract — something they appear reluctant to offer Rashford — makes the financial outlay broadly comparable under financial fair play rules.

With Gordon now in the fold — a player capable of operating on either flank or centrally — exercising Rashford's purchase option appears redundant and increasingly improbable. Though Barcelona retain some interest, Manchester United's refusal to negotiate further dims the chances of Rashford prolonging his time in Catalonia.

Despite his public desire to remain in a Blaugrana shirt, Gordon's signing effectively closes the door on Rashford's Barcelona chapter, setting up a fascinating subplot heading into England's 2026 World Cup preparations.

Raphinha

Raphinha has been the undisputed starter on the left wing throughout Flick's first two seasons in Spain, but Gordon's arrival puts that status in jeopardy. Unlike Rashford, who joined on loan and was always expected to play a supporting role, the price tag attached to Gordon signals that he is not being brought in merely as cover.

Following a standout 2024–25 campaign, Raphinha struggled to maintain that standard in 2025–26, with injuries repeatedly disrupting his season. There is no doubt that, when fully fit, he ranks among the world's elite wingers — but if fitness concerns persist as he approaches 30, the newly arrived Englishman could challenge his grip on the starting left-wing berth.

The two players share strikingly similar characteristics — explosive attackers who enjoy running in behind defenses and exploiting space, with a tendency to cut inside from the touchline and operate almost as second strikers. Their intensity without the ball is also a defining feature of their game, one that Flick places enormous value on.

In previous windows, the potential signing of Nico Williams loomed as a threat to Raphinha's position. That threat has now materialized in the shape of Gordon, who arrives ready to compete for the Brazilian's spot. Any signs of regression in Raphinha's performances could accelerate a natural transition, with Gordon being four years his junior.

There is a scenario where both could feature in the same starting XI, with one of them — most likely Raphinha — slotting into the No. 10 role, a position he has occupied before. However, that arrangement could in turn squeeze the playing time of others.

Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo

Should Flick choose to field both Gordon and Raphinha in the starting lineup — with the Brazilian deployed as the No. 10 — natural attacking midfielders Dani Olmo and Fermín López would be the ones to miss out.

The two have been locked in an ongoing battle to claim Barcelona's starting attacking midfield spot in Flick's 4-2-3-1 system over the past couple of seasons, with the German typically basing his selections on current form rather than handing either a guaranteed starting role.

That internal competition could be rendered moot in 2026–27 if Raphinha — or Gordon — takes over that central position.

Moreover, given the injury problems Barcelona faced in 2025–26, Olmo and Fermín frequently appeared together in the XI, with one of them drifting wide left while retaining the freedom to cut inside. When Pedri was sidelined, the duo often lined up together in a 4-3-3 as twin No. 8s. Gordon's arrival makes that kind of pairing far less likely.

That said, both Gordon and Raphinha are also capable of functioning as a false nine, meaning one of Fermín or Olmo could retain a place in the No. 10 role. That option, however, would put pressure on yet another player — one who could ultimately emerge as the biggest victim of Barcelona's summer window overall.

Ferran Torres

Gordon spent extended spells leading the attack as a center forward during his final season at Newcastle. With Robert Lewandowski's departure, Gordon could potentially step into that vacancy — at the direct expense of Ferran Torres.

Ferran enjoyed a strong finish to the season, but he also endured a two-month scoring drought shortly after the new year in 2026. Barcelona seem reluctant to hand him the keys to the striker role, preferring instead to use him as a capable backup — the Robin to someone else's Batman.

Gordon is no Lewandowski, but it is easy to picture him leading the line for Barça with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on either side, while still accommodating either Olmo or Fermín. In that scenario, Ferran would once again find himself on the periphery — cast as a super-sub just as a genuine opportunity to claim the starting striker role seemed within reach.

Should Barcelona succeed in their pursuit of Julián Alvarez or another top-tier center forward, the outlook for Ferran becomes even bleaker.